fackförening

A fackförening, or trade union, is an organized association of workers formed to represent its members in negotiations with employers over wages, working conditions, and other terms of employment. The aim is to secure fair pay, safe and healthy workplaces, legal protections, and opportunities for training and advancement. Unions also advocate for broader labor rights and may engage in political or social campaigns to improve conditions for workers both inside and outside the workplace.

Fackföreningar are typically organized at the workplace or industry level and may belong to larger national or international federations. Membership is usually voluntary, and dues fund services such as collective bargaining, legal assistance, wage surveys, education, and member support. In many systems, unions operate alongside employers’ associations and government bodies to shape labor-market policies through social dialogue.

Core activities include negotiating collective agreements with employers that set wages, overtime rules, and working conditions for a group of workers; representing members in individual disputes; handling grievance procedures; and sometimes organizing strikes or other forms of collective action to press demands. They may also provide training, career development resources, and information about rights at work.

Structure and governance typically involve elected local chapters or workplace committees and a national or international federation. Leadership and policy are determined by member elections and meetings, such as congresses or boards, with decisions reflecting the interests of the membership.

Across countries, fackföreningar share a common purpose: to protect and improve the terms and conditions of work, support workers in their careers, and contribute to broader social and economic dialogue.