Industrial unions in Sweden have signed a three-year collective agreement, until 2020, that will benefit lower-paid workers most.
The unions, including IF Metall, secured a wage deal worth 6.5%. “We went into these agreement negotiations with three clear demands: more money in our wallets, greater allocation to part-time pensions and a clear low-wage effort, all of which we succeeded in getting through,” said IF Metall Chairman Anders Ferbe.
Over the next three years, wages will rise by an annual 2% (as of 1 April every year), with higher allocations from company wage pools for the lowest paid workers: full-timers on less than SEK 24,000 per month (€2,450). The deal provides more opportunities for workers to reduce their hours at the end of their careers, with higher allocations to part-time pensions.
The unions fought off employers’ demands for tougher working conditions including Saturday work and holiday and leave restrictions. Negotiations are continuing in other sectors.