The Local Sweden

Why these Swedish trade union bosses wore pink pussyhats for gender equality

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 17:08:13 +0100

A Swedish builders' union has been both praised and criticized after its all-male board donned 'pussy hats' and posed for a picture in support of gender equality.

Foreign workers at centre of Swedish election battle

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 16:04:00 +0100

Promises by the Social Democrats to roll back reforms to Swedish laws affecting migrant workers has put the rights of foreign workers and the power of Sweden's unions front and centre in upcoming parliamentary elections, argues liberal contributor Nima Sanandaji.

Sweden 'violates the rights' of guest workers

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 18:23:00 +0100

A European human rights body slammed Sweden on Wednesday for failing to guarantee equal rights for foreign guest workers, in a rebuke of reforms stemming from a case involving Latvian construction workers.

Builders' strike averted after last-minute deal

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:52:00 +0200

A looming construction workers' strike that threatened to shut down work on dozens of major infrastructure projects across Sweden was narrowly averted on Monday night after unions agreed to a last-minute deal.

UN slams Sweden for guest worker policy

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:16:00 +0100

The United Nations has criticized Sweden for limiting trade unions' right to join forces with guest workers, in a statement from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Unions ordered to pay for Vaxholm blockade

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:19:00 +0100

Two Swedish trade unions have been ordered to pay 2.7 million kronor ($392,000) to a Latvian construction company whose 2004 project in Vaxholm in eastern Sweden was interrupted by a union blockade.

Sweden presents new law on collective wage agreements

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:24:00 +0200

The government on Thursday presented a new legislative referral which updates conditions for foreigners working temporarily in Sweden for a foreign company following a European court’s ruling against a Swedish union in a landmark wage-dumping dispute.

Laval asking unions for 2.8 million kronor in damages

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:08:00 +0200

Laval wants Swedish builders union Byggnads and the Swedish Electricians Union to pay 2.8 million kronor ($465,000) in damages, as well as legal expenses incurred by the Latvian construction company in connection with Vaxholm wage-dumping dispute.

'Free-for-all' to follow EU ruling

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:58:00 +0100

In the wake of the EU court ruling in the Vaxholm case, EU-legal experts expect Latvian companies will have a "free-for-all" in Sweden employing Latvian workers at wages lower than the Swedish average.

Builders' strike called off

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:31:00 +0200

A builders' strike has been called off after unions reached agreement with employers on a new national pay and conditions package.

Builders walk out after talks fail

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:16:00 +0200

Builders at one of Sweden's largest construction firms walked out on Wednesday morning in the first of several planned strikes following the breakdown of negotiations between employers' representatives and building union Byggnads.

Builders set to go on strike

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:06:00 +0200

Building workers at Swedish construction company Peab are set to go on strike on Wednesday morning after the Byggnads union rejected an offer from mediators.

Builders' strike to target Peab

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:05:00 +0200

Sweden's builders' union Bygnadds has called a strike with just one corporate target - the building company Peab.

Builders' union calls strike

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:19:00 +0200

The Swedish Building Workers Union (Byggnads) has called a strike for April 18th. The strike is expected to affect 46 workplaces around the country.

Littorin stands up to unions in fee quarrel

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:11:00 +0100

Swedish labour market minister Sven Otto Littorin has said he will not accept unions continuing to force non-members to pay their fees.

Building firms axe union fee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:20:00 +0100

Swedish construction companies are to stop deducting union fees from the pay of non-unionised employees, following a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.

Swedish union loses case in Europe

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:30:00 +0100

Swedish building workers' union Byggnads was breaking the law when it forced non-members to pay its charges, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.

EU countries support Swedish union

Mon, 29 May 2006 20:17:00 +0200

Sweden has secured significant EU support for its position in the Vaxholm case, where Latvian company Laval is contesting the blockade by Swedish union Byggnads of a building site near Stockholm.

Commission backs Swedish Model

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 16:42:00 +0100

The 'Swedish Model' of collective agreements is in line with EU rules, according to a statement today by the European Commission.

Minister in EU withdrawal "threat"

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 21:04:00 +0100

Minister for Employment, Hans Karlsson, believes that there will be widespread calls for Sweden to leave the EU if construction workers' union, Byggnads, loses the Vaxholm case in the EU court. But critics say that Karlsson is avoiding demands to reveal if that's his own view too.