HTF withdraws from agreement for temporary work agencies

At the end of April 1999, the Salaried Employees' Union (HTF), withdrew from the collective agreement for Sweden's temporary work agencies. The union claims that the guaranteed payment for employees in this sector is lower than the level of unemployment insurance benefit.

The Salaried Employees' Union (Tjänstemannaförbundet HTF, HTF), withdrew from its collective agreement for temporary work agencies (SE9711152F) with the Swedish Service Employers' Association (Tjänsteföretagens Arbetsgivareförbund) at the end of April 1999. The agreement was due to expire on 31 July 1999.

The union has three general claims, calling for:

• an increase in the so-called "guarantee payment" from 75% of monthly pay to 100%. This would mean a monthly payment calculated on the basis of all the working days of a month. This is justified by Liisa Ödéen Vento, the chief negotiator at HTF, on the grounds that the workers concerned have to be continually on call. Ms Ödéen Vento added that "HTF cannot accept that the guaranteed payment for the employees in the temporary work business should be lower than the level of unemployment insurance";

• workers to receive a "true" monthly salary, calculated not only on a Monday to Friday basis but also taking into account holidays and weekends; and

• paid education and training for workers during their working hours.

HTF has about 3,000 members in the temporary agency work sector. About 80% of temporary work is in the offices and administration sector, and most of those employed are women. There are about 400 temporary work agencies, of which 50 have more than 25 employees. HTF has collective agreements with a total of 48 agencies.