Big step towards equality in new agreement
Following mediation the Kommunal local government union has endorsed a new agreement which it sees as a great success. The main pay increase will be SEK 1700 (€200) up from the employers’ initial offer of SEK 1500 (€175). Kommunal sees this as an important step in preventing any increase in the pay gap between male-and female-dominated industries. The agreement involves a number of other improvements including initiatives to reduce split shifts; better conditions for temporary workers; increased compensation for unsocial hours and emergency work; and increased parental allowances and time off rights. The agreement means that strike action planned to begin on 28 April was called off. Read more at > Kommunal (SV)
Four-year agreement for municipal white-collar workers
Vision, the union representing mainly white-collar workers in local government, has agreed a new four-year deal which it says breaks new ground. There are general increases of at least 2.6% and 2.2% in the first two years but then in years three and four the focus will be on individual wage increases. The union believes that individual increases will allow workers to secure higher pay increases and will reduce the structural pay gap. Vision also secured improved benefits for working parents. Read more at > Vision (SV)
Municipal union plans strike action over pay
The Kommunal local government union, representing mainly nurses and blue-collar workers in health, cleaning and catering is planning a campaign of industrial action beginning on 29 April. A pay increase of 6.8% over three years is on the table in line with developments in industry. However, Kommunal wants a flat-rate increase of 1740 SEK (€205) as a way of providing lower paid workers with a higher increase. Kommunal argues this is vital step in tackling the lower pay levels in sectors where women make up the majority of workers. The union is also calling for an end to split shifts and improved parental leave. Read more at > Kommunal (SV)
Union targets split shifts in bargaining
The Kommunal municipal union will be aiming for a reduction in the use of split shifts in the care sector as part of its main bargaining demands this year. The union estimates that around 100,000 workers effectively have unpaid and involuntary break periods because they work split shifts but don’t have enough time to go home and return to work. A 13-hour day with a four-hour break in the middle is not uncommon. The problem is particularly acute in elder care where employers exploit this system and where workers find themselves continually rushing around to get things done with little opportunity to provide quality care to the old people they look after. Read more at > Kommunal (SV)
Union welcomes minister’s commitment on equal pay
Local government union Vision has welcomed the commitment of the new equalities minister to tackle the gender pay gap and particularly the structural problem of lower pay in sectors where women make up the majority of the workforce. This is an issue of particular importance for Vision, recognising the challenge of having to change some fundamental values in society in order to close the gap, a gap which also has an impact on the pay of men working in sectors dominated by women. Read more at > Vision (SE)
Local government union submits pay claim
The Kommunal municipal union has submitted its main collective bargaining demands to the SALAR and PACTA employer organisations. The union is looking for a 2.8% pay increase with a minimum guaranteed increase of SEK 700 (€81). It is also calling for a reduction in the use of temporary contracts in the local government sector where there are currently around 140000 fixed-term workers. Kommunal’s other claims include an end to split shifts and higher additional payments for weekend and night work. Read more at > Kommunal (SV)
Latest data shows very slow closure of gender pay gap
The Vision white-collar local government union has commented on the latest official pay statistics that show a persistent structural gender pay gap in nine out of 10 professional groups. Vision president Annika Strandhäll is on the government committee on equality and is concerned not only about the very slow trend towards closing the pay gap but also the fact that sectors where women make up the majority of workers have lower pay then those dominated by men. This is despite the fact that women are, in general, better educated than men. Read more at > Vision (SE)
Confederation confirms coordination of collective bargaining for next pay round
The LO blue-collar workers’ confederation has confirmed plans to coordinate bargaining in the next pay round. The aim will be secure pay increases of 2.8% for all workers earning at least SEK 25000 (€2900) a month. The pay claim for workers on less than SEK 25000 will be a flat-rate amount of SEK 700 (€81). The aim is to boost lower pay rates and contribute to closing the gender pay gap. The coordinated claim will include a number of other elements including an allowance for those on parental leave. Read more at > Kommunal (SE)
Unions coordinate pay claims to tackle low pay
Municipal union Kommunal has welcomed the decision by the LO blue-collar trade union confederation to target low pay in the next bargaining round. LO and Kommunal argue that this will also mean improving pay in sectors dominated by women. The aim will be for all workers paid less than the monthly average industrial wage (SEK 25000, €2910) to get the same monetary amount as the percentage increase for those on more than the average. This would also apply to minimum wage rates. Read more at > LO (SV) And at > Kommunal (SV)
Pay rise for private care workers
Municipal sector union Kommunal has negotiated a new 14-month agreement covering 25000 workers in private health care. There will be a SEK 655 (€77) increase on monthly salaries including the minimum wage in the collective agreement. Workers will also now be paid from the first minute of on-call rather than after the first 30 minutes. Fixed-term contracts will automatically become permanent after three years rather than four and there will be a gradual reduction in the use of fixed-term contracts. Read more at > Kommunal (SE)
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