This is Unionen

Who can be a member of Unionen

All of the white-collar workers at a workplace in the private sector can be members of Unionen irrespective of their position, educational background or level of pay. Some of the more common professions found among our members include Project Managers, Engineers, Administrators, Economists, IT Consultants, Technicians, Managers and Salespeople.

The Right of Association in Sweden

The right of association that is in force in Sweden gives you the right to freely join a trade union of your choice. An employer cannot say that you are not allowed to join a trade union. It is a violation against the freedom of association if anyone, in any way, tries to prevent you from joining a trade union.

The level of trade union membership is Sweden is high – about 70% - and membership is often encouraged by employers. As Unionen is not linked to any political party we can always pursue policies that, irrespective of political considerations, entail a better working life for our members.

The Swedish model - collective agreements

The collective agreements form the basis of ‘the Swedish model’ in which the conditions in each sector are determined by the trade unions and the employer organisations. The government does not interfere, though it may set the boundaries through labour laws, as the trade union and employer organisations are responsible. The model combines flexibility for companies with security and influence for employees.

Collective agreements

A collective agreement is a voluntary agreement between employers and employees on your rights at the workplace. The collective agreement regulates pay increases every year, overtime pay, supplementary insurance schemes, the right to exert influence and so on. If you are employed at a workplace with a collective agreement then you can be safe in the knowledge that there is a good agreement for you that covers your pay, form of employment, working hours, holidays, period of notice and much more. Approximately 8 out of 10 members in Unionen are covered by a collective agreement and Unionen have in total close to 100 different collective agreements with employer organisations in the private sector.

Read more:

• "The collective bargaining process - re-negotiating salaries and working conditions" (Avtalsrörelsen in Swedish)
• "The Mark - the collective salary increase level" (Märket in Swedish)

Unionen at the workplace and throughout Sweden

The workplace is Unionen’s most important arena. This is where we learn about actual working conditions and how these can be improved and changed. This is also where we discuss and negotiate different issues with the employer. Unionen has around 27 000 union representatives in more than 15 000 work places.

Unionen throughout Sweden

Unionen consists of 18 regions from Unionen Norrbotten in the north of Sweden to Unionen Sydväst in the southwest of Sweden. At least one or more Unionen offices are located in each region. This means that we are on hand for those workplaces in the region that need advice and support in trade union matters.

The unemployment benefit fund (A-kassa)

Unemployment benefit funds and the trade union Unionen are different organisations. By being a member of an unemployment benefit fund, you are guaranteed an income if you lose your job. You get paid a certain amount of money for an interim period of time until you find a new job.

For your own sake. And for everyone else’s

As a member of Unionen, you get lots of personal services, benefits and tools that boost your own security and development, whether you have a job, are applying for a job, becoming a manager, starting your business or studying. At the same time, together with your colleagues and a total of over 685 000 white-collar employees in the private sector, you help push for decent terms and conditions and a sustainable professional life for all.

Peace of mind

• Free advice on your working conditions.
• Help with negotiations if problems arise at work. Read more about legal support.
• Income insurance – supplements the unemployment benefit fund (a-kassa), meaning that you can insure an income of up to SEK 60000/month if unemployed for up to 150 days, around 7 months.
• Personal insurance – for you and your family. 3 months free of charge if you meet the policy requirements.
• Collective agreement with good terms including pay rises, overtime payments, occupational pension, sick pay, etc.
• Checking contracts of employment

Personal development

• Career planning and career tools
• Support before pay and performance reviews
• Seminars and lectures
• Resumé (CV) and LinkedIn services

Influence

• Option of joining a Unionen club at work.
• In the event of changes, the club negotiates pay rises and is a driving force on terms and conditions at work
• Option of workplace representative at smaller workplaces
• Input on improvements to pay and working conditions to be put forward by Unionen in the collective agreement negotiations.
• A say in Unionen’s activities and membership.

Benefits

• Kollega - members’ magazine
• Discounts on home, house and car insurance.
• Beneficial mortgages and loans
• Discount on courses, magazines, books etc.

Membership Terms and Conditions

The statutes of Unionen cover all members. We wish to draw your attention specifically to a couple of things mentioned in the statutes.

As a new member, you are immediately entitled to advice and information from Unionen and after three months you can be represented in negotiations, as long as the matter occurred three months after your application for membership was accepted by Unionen.

Exemptions from the three month rule may be granted if there are special circumstances, for example if Unionen has a fundamental interest in the matter. Exemptions may also be granted if the member is new to the labour market, for example has come directly from being a student, immigrated from another country or some other similar situation. You are immediately entitled to support in negotiations if you are switching directly from membership of another trade union.

Do not forget that you need to be a member of a Swedish unemployment insurance fund, the Unionen unemployment insurance fund or some other, in order to be entitled to our income protection insurance scheme.

If you wish to become a member of the Unionen unemployment insurance fund or any other unemployment insurance fund of your choice, you need to submit a separate application form supplied by the unemployment insurance fund.

Guest membership

Guest Membership is offered to anyone that has been granted a work permit to carry out work in Sweden as a white-collar worker at a workplace in the private sector and who is a citizen

1. of a country within EU/EEA and Switzerland and is on a posting from your home country for work in Sweden
2. of a third country

For just SEK 200 you will become a guest member and get quick and professional support concerning all aspects of your working life in Sweden. If you are employed in Sweden, we can also represent you in legal labour issues. Being a guest member immediately entitles you to advice, and after three months entitles you to be represented in negotiations, as long as the matter occurred after your application for membership was accepted by Unionen.

Read more about Guest Membership