Update: 04.07.2023
In a press release published today, the Swedish Port Workers Union announced a new collective agreement is now on the table. As a result, it has withdrawn the decision to strike and will now proceed to put the tentative agreement to the vote.
One of the key issues the union raised was having a financial support scheme that assists the rehabilitation of workers suffering from injuries. The union declared, "The mediators have succeeded in obtaining a commitment from Ports of Sweden to establish a new system for the rehabilitation of afflicted employees."
According to Swedish news outlet Göteborg-Posten, the vote on the deal should be complete by 10 July.
Update: 29.06.2023
According to an update by the Swedish Port Workers Union, the planned strikes will now extend to include the APM Terminals container facility at the Port of Gothenburg, as well as Holmsund Port.
The strikes affecting these ports are set to begin on Sunday, 9 July, and continue until end-of-day Tuesday, 11 July. Earlier this week, the union notified employers of labour action, including a six-day strike (starting 6 July) at Gothenburg's ro-ro terminal and Helsingborg Port.
Original article: 28.06.2023
The Swedish Port Workers Union (HF) announced a six-day strike starting 6 July to take place in Sweden’s Gothenburg's ro-ro terminal and Helsingborg Port. The union also said it put a freeze on overtime, new employment and hiring at the Port of Halland.
A press release issued by the union yesterday revealed that the workers’ main demand is establishing a joint social fund. “The purpose of the fund is to support employers who choose to rehabilitate employees in need after a long period of illness or injury,” announced the union.
The union highlighted, “In the ports, many people work in an extremely insecure form of employment, which means that they end up in the middle of the insurance systems.” It further claimed that on many occasions, dockworkers were left to cover their own treatment, although they were injured at work.
Local media reported that the strikes will go on as planned if no agreement is reached before 6 July. The strike is expected to end on Tuesday, 11 July, as announced by the union.
