Report exposes deterioration in health and safety
23 November 2008
The latest annual report on the work environment from the LO trade union confederation reveals a deterioration for many workers. The report says that women are often worst affected working in jobs in the public sector where they have don’t have adequate breaks while public sector workers in general are more at risk from threats and violence.
Read more at > LO (EN)
Workers close gap on professionals but not women on men
4 October 2008
A review of wage statistics by the LO union confederation shows that blue-collar workers had higher increases than professionals in 2007 – at 3.8% compared to 3.6%. However, increases for women in both categories were slightly lower than men indicating that there had been no further progress in closing the gender pay gap.
Read more at > LO (EN)
Nurses end strike
6 June 2008
After six weeks of strike action nurses have agreed to a new three-year pay agreement that gives them a guaranteed minimum increase of 4% this year and 3% and 2% in 2009 and 2010. Further details of the settlement will be circulated shortly.
Read more at > International Herald Tribune (EN)
Nurses strike for higher pay
23 April 2008
Following a failed attempt at mediation members of the Swedish Association of Health Professionals began strike action on 21 April. The union says that current pay levels fail to reflect the years of training and levels of responsibility that nurses have. It is calling for an increase of SKr 1,700 (€181) a month in 2008 and in 2009. This would be worth around 7% each year for nurses on average pay. More workers will get involved in the action if the employers, the municipalities, don’t come back to the negotiating table with a better offer.
Read more at > Vardforbundet (EN)
And at > Yahoo news (EN)
Social partners meet in response to threat to collective agreements
21 February 2008
Trade unions, employers and the government have begun discussions over what legislative changes might be necessary in response to the recent European Court judgement in the Laval case (See > ETUC information on this). A commission of inquiry has been established that will consult with unions and employers. The key issue is how to ensure that foreign workers benefit from the same collectively agreed pay and conditions as domestic workers and this many involve changes to posted workers legislation.
Read more at > LO (SE)
Case study investigates impact of liberalisation on energy company
28 January 2008
A case study of EON Sverige (formerly Sydkraft) the Swedish energy company examines the impact of market liberalisation and foreign takeover on a major electricity company. The study highlights in particular the important role of the trade unions in negotiating over restructuring and the extensive use of outsourcing across a range of different services within the company. The study was carried out for the European Monitoring Centre for Change part of the European Foundation.
Read more at > EMCC (EN)
Union confederation welcomes employers’ support for collective bargaining
17 October 2007
The LO confederation has welcomed the decision by the Swedish employers’ association to discuss a new basic agreement and confirm the central role that collective bargaining plays in regulating industrial relations in Sweden. The system has come under pressure, particularly as a result of the Vaxholm case and the attempt by a Latvian employer to undermine the collective agreement for the construction industry. .
Read more at > LO (EN)
Privatisation is a factor behind rise in industrial disputes
21 February 2007
The LO trade union confederation has commented on the recent rise in industrial disputes in Sweden, identifying three key causes. It says that unions are taking action to increase the coverage of collective agreements but also in response to some employers, backed by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, who are determined not to sign collective agreements. The third reason, according to LO, is that disputes are arising as more and more public sector activities are taken over by private sector companies.
Read more at > LO (EN)
Survey reveals support for solidarity wage increases
21 February 2007
A survey of 5,000 trade unionists by the LO trade union confederation shows majority support for solidarity wage increases. This means that higher paid workers back the idea that wage negotiations should focus on improving pay for the lower paid and closing the gender pay gap. The survey found that 86% of trade unionists thought that women’s wages were too low in comparison to men’s earnings.
Read more at > LO (EN)
Report stresses need to maintain high minimum wages
23 January 2007
A new report from the LO trade union confederation underlines the importance of maintaining high levels of minimum wages across the economy and preventing the gap between the high and lower paid from increasing. The report rejects the argument that low pay is primarily a temporary phenomenon affecting young people and argues that low pay of any kind has an impact on other wage earners. It also points out that many older workers still experience low pay and that it tends to affect families with poverty and low pay likely to be passed on across the generations. LO argues that measures are needed to boost demand and employment and improve the competences on those on the lowest pay rates.
Read more at > LO (EN)
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