Actors' strike avoided at the last minute

A strike and lock-out at Sweden's state-subsidised theatres were avoided at the last minute when the parties reached a new collective agreement on 1 December 1998. Existing provisions guaranteeing actors permanent employment contracts after a period of qualification were repealed, while starting salaries were increased substantially.

On 20 November 1998, negotiations between the Union of Theatrical Employees (Teaterförbundet, STF) and the Association of Swedish Theatres and Orchestras (Teatrarnas Riksförbund) on pay and general terms of employment at state-subsidised theatres broke down.

Two issues were particularly important in the negotiations: the starting salary for actors, dancers and singers; and the provisions on employment security. The latter was the less controversial issue, and an agreement in principle on employment security had already been reached when the negotiations broke down.

According to the previous rules, an actor who had worked for three or four years at a theatre affiliated to Teatrarnas Riksförbund could claim a permanent employment contract if the theatre wanted to re-engage him or her. As the employers strive to minimise their permanent staff, these rules were counterproductive. Actors who had qualified for a permanent contract were simply not offered engagement. Consequently, the parties agreed to repeal the rules and to institute a new category of employment - long-term temporary contracts of two to five years' duration. This does not mean that no actors will be employed on permanent contracts, only that the right for an individual actor to claim such a contract does not apply. Instead, each theatre is to negotiate with the local trade union on how many permanent contracts there should be at the theatre in question. They should also agree on a set of principles for the use of the new long-term temporary contracts. If they fail to reach an agreement, the reference rules set down in the new sectoral agreement will apply.

The stumbling block in the negotiations was the starting salary. STF had claimed a pay increase from SEK 12,800 to SEK 16,000 per month for artists with four years of university studies or five years' professional experience. The employers offered SEK 13,800.

The trade union gave notice of a strike of actors at seven theatres, and the employers responded by giving notice of a lock-out of theatre technicians. Public mediators were appointed. On 1 December 1998, shortly before the strike was due to commence, both parties accepted the mediators' proposal.

The agreement runs for one year and increases the starting salary to SEK 14,500, as from 1 February 1999. The employers declared their intention to increase it further to SEK 16,000 after 12 months.

The parties had laid down one additional condition that had to be fulfilled before the new forms of employment contract could be implemented: the government had to modify the pension scheme. On 17 October 1998, the government decided to do so. This decision was also a prerequisite for the foundation of a new company offering employment for freelance actors, which is to be established after a tripartite agreement earlier in 1998 (SE9807197F).