Sweden: social dumping with new operators at the heart of 2013 negotiations in transportation

Negotiations in the rail and bus transport industries were punctuated by social movements.  Wage increases were defined at 6.8 percent over three years, in line with most other sectors, but the situation got tricky for the debate on the conditions for the takeover of employees when the operator changes.  Both unions – SEKO (service and communication) for rail transport and Kommunal (union of workers in towns, private companies and regions) for bus transport – wanted to combat social dumping and defend the Swedish model by maintaining workers’ pay and working conditions when a new operator runs the line.  (Ref.  130492)
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In both agreements, the wage increases amount to 6.8 percent over 3 years. But there are differences for the wage level, which appeared as the key to combat social dumping in bus transport.

Agreement in bus transport. The agreement was reached on June 28 between Kommunal and Bussarbetsgivaren (association of bus companies) after a 9-day strike in businesses like Arriva Sverige AB, Keolis Sverige AB, Veolia transport, etc.

Between June 1, 2013 and September 30, 2016, there will be a general SEK

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