Freedom of association and trade union activity at the workplace in Sweden

Abstract

The social partners play a key role on the Swedish labour market. There is a long tradition of collective bargaining and regulation of labour and employment conditions by means of collective agreements. The unionisation rate is high as well as the coverage of collective agreements. The employee´s voice is channelled through the trade union. Trade unions with a collective agreement are entrusted with special rights; they are considered to represent the interests of the entire work force. Trade union activity at the workplace is facilitated by legislation from the 1970s providing for, among other things, trade union representatives carrying out trade union activities during paid working time. Co-determination negotiations and information provided by the employer are important for conditions at workplace level. EU law has influenced Swedish labour and employment law with a more individualistic approach and has increased legislation as means of regulating working conditions.