After Northvolt’s bankruptcy: “Extremely tough for our members – their expertise must be utilized”

It has been a turbulent time for Northvolt employees. In September, 1,600 workers were given layoff notices, and on Wednesday, the news came that Northvolt had declared bankruptcy. Unionen represents nearly 1,300 members at Northvolt who have fought hard and hoped for the company’s survival. Now, they face an uncertain future.

– This is tough for our members, and we are doing everything we can to support them through this difficult situation. We have initiated a dialogue with the bankruptcy trustee to ensure our members interests are protected. Many of our members have pressing questions, and we are here to help. As soon as Northvolt announced the bankruptcy, we sent out information explaining the next steps. It’s important to note that the bankruptcy does not mean an immediate halt to operations – our members will continue working as usual until further notice from the bankruptcy trustee, says Peter Hellberg, President of Unionen.

Since Northvolt’s financial problems became apparent, Unionen has been working with the company to find a solution. We have emphasized the need for increased collaboration between the government, municipalities, industry, and regional authorities to create opportunities for those affected and to ensure that the valuable expertise built at Northvolt is not lost.

- Northvolt employees possess crucial skills that are essential for the green transition. At the same time, new battery factories are emerging, including in Västra Götaland. That is why we have highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation between key stakeholders to ensure that this expertise is utilized.

Unionen remains committed to fighting for our members and supporting them through these uncertain times.