Collective Agreement Reached in Swedish Elderly Care Labor Dispute
An agreement has been reached in the Swedish elderly care labor dispute, preventing a strike and introducing key worker protections.
Key Points
- • Vårdföretagarna and Kommunal reach a collective agreement, avoiding a strike.
- • Part-time employees will receive equal overtime pay as full-time workers.
- • Minimum wages will increase under the new agreement valid until June 1, 2027.
- • Tensions remain high despite the resolution, with both parties exchanging criticisms.
In a significant resolution to the ongoing labor conflict in Sweden’s elderly care sector, employer organization Vårdföretagarna and trade union Kommunal have successfully reached a collective agreement, averting a potential strike that was set to begin on June 15, 2025. The agreement represents a crucial milestone, as it addresses key issues raised by the union and is valid until June 1, 2027.
One of the most notable aspects of the agreement is the provision ensuring that part-time workers will receive equal overtime pay as their full-time colleagues. This point was emphasized by Malin Ragnegård, chairperson of Kommunal, who described it as a ‘knäckfråga’—a critical issue that needed resolution during negotiations. The union has welcomed this inclusion, considering it a significant improvement for part-time employees in the healthcare and elderly care sectors.
Additionally, the new collective agreements stipulate an increase in minimum wages for workers within these sectors. Antje Dedering, director of Vårdföretagarna, expressed relief at the agreement, stating that it mirrors arrangements reached in other sectors of the labor market, thereby promoting fair treatment across the board.
Despite the positive outcome, tensions remain palpable between the two parties. Dedering expressed concerns regarding the rhetoric used by Kommunal during negotiations, suggesting it negatively impacted member companies. In response, Ragnegård defended her stance, highlighting that her primary responsibility is to advocate for her members’ lived experiences, irrespective of which side they belong to. This reflects the complex dynamics and challenges still faced in labor relations within Sweden’s healthcare sector.