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| Swedish Dockworkers |
Sweden’s Dockworkers Union escalated industrial action this week, with a six-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, May 21, across all ports where the union has representation. The strike, aimed at pressing for better terms in a new collective agreement with Ports of Sweden, could significantly disrupt the pulp and paper export supply chain—a major concern for a region reliant on maritime logistics.
The Dockworkers Union has also expanded its second strike announcement, originally scheduled for May 22 to May 26, now extended through June 5. The strike will impact specific companies at various times, including bans on hiring and overtime. Among the affected firms is SCA Logistics, a key player in Swedish pulp and paper exports.
A detailed schedule and list of companies impacted is available in Swedish through the union’s official channels.
Transport Workers’ Union Reaches Agreement, Withdraws Strike Plans
In contrast, Ports of Sweden reached a last-minute deal with the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union (Transport) on Tuesday, May 20, avoiding a parallel strike that would have affected other key terminals between May 30 and June 15.
The new two-year collective agreement, expiring April 30, 2027, includes a monthly salary increase of 1,185 SEK ($123) from May 1, 2024, and an additional 1,045 SEK from May 1, 2026. Notably, the union succeeded in securing improved protections for temporary agency workers, a central demand in negotiations.
Transport has officially retracted its strike notice.
Legal Tensions Emerge Over Secondary Agreement and Union Rights
The Swedish Dockworkers Union stated it had been offered identical terms to those accepted by Transport but declined due to unresolved issues, particularly around temporary staffing protections and employee representative rights.
However, Ports of Sweden argues the Dockworkers Union strike is unlawful, citing the valid agreement already signed with Transport, which it claims applies to all port workers regardless of union affiliation.
“This agreement applies to all port workers in Sweden… The Dockworkers Union has signed identical secondary agreements three times before but is now choosing to strike,” said Johan Grauers, Ports of Sweden’s head of negotiations.
In response, Ports of Sweden is implementing mirrored lockouts—meaning workers involved in the Dockworkers Union’s actions will not be permitted on-site or offered overtime during strike hours.
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