The Seko trade union announces a strike among the train drivers.
In a first step, the strike may break out on May 11.
The alert initially concerns the Öresund trains, but also SJ, Green Cargo and the subway in Stockholm are covered.
Seko, the Service and Communications Union, announces a strike for approximately 1,200 members, who will be withdrawn in different stages. The Öresund trains will be withdrawn in the first step on May 11, then the subway in Stockholm, Green Cargo and SJ will follow in two further steps on May 15 and 18 if no settlement is reached.
According to Gabriella Lavecchia, chairman of Seko, there was no other way out.
Everyday life and work
– That is our opinion. The employer has been sitting idly by since the end of February. An absolute majority of our members express problems with combining everyday life with work.
According to her, it is about the view on scheduling and working hours. Seko wants an end to later schedule changes than 14 days in advance and also reductions in working hours.
– I think the public can understand that it is difficult to get everyday life together if the schedule is changed the day before, from day off to work or from day to night. That requires an incredible set-up all around.
The agreement affects around 10,000 people.
Now mediators will be called in. Gabriella Lavecchia explains that the groups to whom the notice applies are those who have major problems with the inconveniences that working hours and schedules now entail.
– They are not picked out of a hat.
However, the employer side, the Almega train companies, can neither agree to Seko’s demand for schedules that are locked 14 days in advance nor the shortening of working hours that the union wants, according to Pierre Sandberg, union director at the Almega train companies.
Very unfortunate
This is because schedule changes are usually based on the Swedish Transport Administration’s lack of foresight and the lack of train drivers, he says. Shortening working hours in the event of a train driver shortage is not possible.
– I think it is very unfortunate and unnecessary to give notice of a strike if the purpose is a new agreement. But the train companies stand up to the process of mediation.
The employers are prepared to compromise, he says.
– We can compromise within the limit of what is possible, says Pierre Sandberg.
Seko organizes train drivers and train staff.
The agreement with the employer expired on 30 April.
On Friday, negotiations for a new agreement broke down. According to Seko, the parties are far apart, and now a strike is being announced from May 11. Then the notification applies Öresundstågen, Transdev. In the following steps, on May 15 and May 18, SJ, Green Cargo and the subway in Stockholm follow.
Almega train companies are the employer of the train drivers and train staff.
(TT)