Strike or dispute
The reason why a trade union calls a strike is because negotiations with the employer have failed. The industrial action is used to put pressure on the other party. There are three different situations when a trade union may use a dispute:
- During a collective bargaining process. This is the most common reason for a strike.
- Against an individual company to obtain a collective agreement in a workplace that has no agreement. This is not linked to the collective bargaining process but can happen at any time.
- As a solidarity action or a secondary action when another trade union is engaged in a dispute. The union can also issue a sympathy strike regarding its own disputes to other companies.
No-strike agreement
As long as there is a collective (bargaining) agreement (CBA), the union cannot take industrial action against a company, except in the case of a sympathy strike.
Sympathy strike, solidarity action or secondary action
Even if you or the company you work for are not directly affected by a dispute, you may be called out on strike if your union takes sympathy action with another union or extends a strike of its own.
Strikebreakers
As a member of a union that takes industrial action, you are obliged to strike when the union demands it. If you refuse, you risk being expelled for strikebreaking.
The last time Unionen expelled strikebreakers was after the 2012 collective bargaining process. Unionen launched a strike against Almega Tjänsteföretagen and Medieföretagen, affecting seven companies and over 1,000 members. At two of the companies, five people chose to work as usual. Four of the strikebreakers chose to leave the union voluntarily after the dispute. The fifth member, who wanted to keep his membership, was expelled following a decision by the Unionen executive.
Becoming a member again isn’t easy. If you’ve already been expelled, you need the consent of Unionen executive.
Compensation during a strike
Different unions have different sizes of strike funds and can therefore afford to strike for different lengths of time. During a dispute, as a member of Unionen, you are entitled to full compensation for your lost wages.
