Sweden’s Transport Workers’ Union has issued a formal warning of industrial conflict following a breakdown in negotiations with the Ports of Sweden employer association.
The dispute centres on what the union describes as the employers’ misuse of temporary staffing arrangements to circumvent collective agreements, particularly the Port and Stevedoring Agreement.
If a settlement is not reached, the union has announced a phased escalation of industrial action, beginning with a blockade on new hires, overtime, and altered working hours starting 21 May. A full strike is scheduled to begin in stages from 30 May.
The union is calling for strict limitations on temporary employment and insists that all workers – whether directly employed or hired – be subject to the same terms and conditions.
In response to the union’s industrial action notice, the employers have issued what the union describes as “mirrored lockouts” – retaliatory measures mirroring the union’s strike plans. While expected, these actions will not affect the ongoing mediation efforts being overseen by Sweden’s National Mediation Office.
The conflict highlights growing tensions in the Swedish port sector over employment conditions and the use of third-party staffing. With strike action imminent, port operations across Sweden could face significant disruption unless an agreement is reached soon.