Unionen lodged the strike notice on September 15, and mediation between the unions and King’s management is currently under way. Should talks fail, employees covered by the two unions will walk out on September 25.
Three additional unions – Naturvetarna, DIK and Akademikerförbundet SSR – have announced they will join the strike in solidarity with Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer, widening the potential impact across King’s Swedish workforce.
Unionen officials say their members are seeking a collective agreement that grants them greater influence over workplace terms, stronger job security and comprehensive coverage of pensions, insurance, working hours and other conditions, describing such agreements as a cornerstone of security in the Swedish labour market.
King’s chief operating officer Ulrika Höjgård responded that the company already offers “fair and competitive employment terms” and that its benefits are at least on par with what a collective agreement would provide. She added that King remains committed to a constructive dialogue with union representatives despite the decision not to sign a CBA.
In a June email to staff, King president Todd Green explained that the rejection of the proposed agreement was “not made lightly.” He argued that King’s current benefits package – including enhanced pension, long‑term sick pay, private healthcare and parental leave – is superior for employees, and that entering a CBA would force structural changes to the company’s operating model in Sweden, which he believes would be detrimental.
The looming strike underscores the tension between Sweden’s strong union tradition and King’s preference for a company‑direct benefits model. Both sides have indicated a willingness to continue negotiations, but the September 25 deadline looms as a critical test for the company’s operations and for the broader Swedish labour landscape.