Sweden: the failure of negotiations on a new national collective agreement is a missed opportunity for reforming the industrial relations system

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loyers’ association Svenskt Naringsliv announced its decision to interrupt negotiations on the renewal of the industrial relations system founded in 1938. The social partners had vastly different objectives which they have not managed to reconcile. The employers wanted to review the framework of general disputes, whereas the unions, LO and PTK, sought a stricter framework for wage policy in the private sector. Sectoral negotiations might offset the failure of discussions at national level. (Ref

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