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SYSTEMBOLAGET

Strike could threaten Midsummer schnapps

An unofficial strike at a Systembolaget (Swedish alcohol retail monopoly) warehouse south of Stockholm is currently underway, possibly threatening the supply of Sweden's favourite holiday beverage.

Published: 15 June 2009 13:30 CEST
Strike could threaten Midsummer schnapps

“We might run out of certain products,” Lennart Agén, information officer at Systembolaget, told TT.

The strike is not sanctioned by the Union of Commercial Employees (Handels), but the LO labour organization is sympathetic.

“It is extremely provocative that the company gave 33 employees notice right in the middle of ongoing local negotiations. But Handels operates according to the accepted union protocol, that is to say we follow the existing negotiation regulations,” wrote Tommy Tillgren, Handels’ deputy chairman, in a statement.

The strike is being held at the Lagena warehouse, a subsidiary of Systembolaget. According to Agén, Lagena has been running at a loss, after losing Pernod Ricard as a major customer following the Vin & Sprit purchase. Lagena consequently needed to reduce the number of permanent staff and bring in temporary employees when necessary.

The strike could, if it continues for several days, mean that certain products from Systembolaget might run out.

“At present, it’s difficult to say what the consequences might be,” Agén said.

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SYSTEMBOLAGET

Swedes warned: Vodka won’t protect you from the coronavirus

Sweden's state-run alcohol chain Systembolaget has advised customers not to buy its spirits as a substitute for hand sanitiser.

Published: 21 April 2020 16:42 CEST
Swedes warned: Vodka won't protect you from the coronavirus
Stockholmers queuing outside Systembolaget before Easter. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

One of the best ways of avoiding the new coronavirus and prevent its spread is to wash your hands often with soap and water, according to the Swedish Public Healh Agency.

If you don't have access to soap or running water, hand sanitiser is the next best option, but the product has been flying off the shelves as shoppers try to get their hands on a bottle.

Sweden's state-owned alcohol chain Systembolaget has been forced to put up signs in several of its stores informing customers that alcohol such as vodka and gin does not work as a substitute for hand sanitiser.

“NOT HAND SANITISER,” read the signs.

“We have had a few questions from customers and have put up signs in those stores,” said Systembolaget press officer Therese Elmgren.

“But it is not possible, just as the signs say. The percentage (of alcohol) needs to be higher.”

An alcohol concentration of at least 60 percent is needed for disinfectant to be effective in killing viruses or bacteria. Absolut Vodka, to use an example of a popular Swedish vodka brand, has an alcohol concentration of 40 percent.

However, some of the ingredients are the same, and during the coronavirus crisis Absolut has adapted parts of its manufacturing in order to produce pure alcohol which can be used for cleaning purposes, instead of vodka for consumption. This pure alcohol then needs to be mixed with gel, manufactured separately, to create usable sanitiser for the healthcare sector.

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