After the tensions produced by the initial refusal of the Swedish port employers association, Sveriges Hamnar, to negotiate a new collective agreement with the workers, the waters have calmed in the Swedish ports. The conversations held between union representatives and employers have brought an end to a week of tensions in which dockworkers were forced to take a number of protest actions.
Over the previous weekend, the workers - affiliated to the Swedish dockworker’ union - had enforced an overtime ban. Their intention was to remind employers of the constant effort they make for Swedish ports to reach their economic targets.
Now, after the minimum agreement reached by both parties, the workers have returned to their normal activity and resumed negotiations to reach a new collective agreement which, logically, will have to include a wage increase in line with Swedish inflation.
The Swedish workers have expressed their gratitude to all the support they have received from the other unions affiliated to the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC), which represents over 50, 000 workers in 21 different countries.
