On 13 October 1999, the National Union of Teachers (Lärarnas Riksförbund, LR) finished drawing up its demands for the coming pay negotiations. The claims are the same as those agreed by the second, larger teachers' organisation, the Teachers' Union (Lärarförbundet, LF), a week before.
In October 1999, the two trade unions representing Swedish teachers issued their demands for the forthcoming bargaining round. Over the next five years, the unions want a pay increase that is 15% higher than that awarded to other municipal employees, drawing harsh criticism from the LO blue-collar union confederation.
On 13 October 1999, the National Union of Teachers (Lärarnas Riksförbund, LR) finished drawing up its demands for the coming pay negotiations. The claims are the same as those agreed by the second, larger teachers' organisation, the Teachers' Union (Lärarförbundet, LF), a week before.
The main demands of the two unions, which cooperate in pay bargaining, are as follows:
a five-year agreement;
a pay rise for teachers of at least 15% more than that granted to other employees in the municipalities (SE9910102F);
a 30% increase in pay for teachers during the first year after qualifying; and
a widening of the gap between the lowest- and highest-paid teachers to 40%, within every group of teachers
The unions also make some general demands for changes in working conditions, such as stricter formulations on the rights of teachers to decide for themselves about their own working hours and other working time issues, plus more resources for further education.
LF has 211,000 members and is an affiliate of the Confederation of Salaried Employees (Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation, TCO). It organises all types of teachers, from pre-school teachers to those at university level. LR has 65,000 members, all of whom have a university degree, and is affiliated to the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (Sveriges Akademikers Centralorganisation, SACO).
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities (Svenska Kommunförbundet), which acts as the employers' body for education, commented that the teachers' claims seem inconsistent with the need for a balanced budget within the municipalities. For its part, the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen i Sverige, LO) gave an angry and immediate reaction. Using words like "foolish", "appalling" and "not thought through", Hans Karlsson, a senior LO official stated that he did not approve of the white-collar trade unions' demands. He claimed that the demands might lead to a government-imposed incomes policy and a restriction of the right to take industrial action. A committee is currently examining changes to mediation and conflict rules (SE9903150N) and a proposal is expected at the end of November 1999.
A few days after the teachers' unions issued their demands, Prime Minister Göran Persson stated in parliament that he considered that teachers should be better paid. However, in the government's opinion, it was up to the parties to negotiate the teachers' collective agreement without the government's intervention.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1999), Teachers demand 15% extra pay over five years, article.
