As hundreds are employed every month, expansive battery company Northvolt needs all the support it can get from Unionen. Committed union representatives and support are required for the three newly formed clubs to keep up. Fortunately, both are available!
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Published 04 May 2023
Northvolt is defying the odds during uncertain times. Between 100 and 200 people are employed every month and the company is rapidly expanding. In just a few years, the business has established itself in Stockholm, Västerås, and Skellefteå, with approximately 1200 staff across the three locations.
"The company is in an extremely expansive phase. The vision to be the first on the market creates this enormous drive," says Niklas Svensson, an ombudsman at the Stockholm regional Unionen office who currently works a lot with Northvolt.
Many employees, including managers and in some cases, HR, have no previous connection to Sweden and do not know Swedish law.
The Northvolt club in Stockholm was formed last summer and has since held over 120 negotiations, often about appointments of managers. To facilitate the fast expansion, provide smooth negotiation processes and make the clubs more self-sufficient, colleagues from Unionen's regional offices in Stockholm, Västerbotten, and Mälardalen are collaborating.
What are the biggest challenges for the three Northvolt clubs?
”Many employees, including managers, and in some cases, HR, have no previous connection to Sweden and do not know Swedish law, what it says and enables. This is a huge challenge. But there is good dialogue with the employer, they have chosen to establish themselves in the country and have signed collective agreements."
The Swedish labour market model is founded on collective agreements negotiated between employer organisations and employee organisations. These agreements provide tailored and clear frameworks that simplify HR and management, particularly in rapidly growing workplaces with employees from various parts of the world.
