Chocolate workers next in line for train strike

Dragging into its third week, the railway strike in southern Sweden has yet to be resolved. 

Workers' union Seko announced on Tuesday that it plans to expand the strike yet again, as no desirable solution has been proposed. In addition to Stockholm trains grinding to a halt on Midsummer, goods terminals in Gothenburg will be shut down a week later. A painter's firm will follow suit June 30th, and Skåne Traffic's employees will join the strike on July 1st.

The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) also announced plans to join in the sympathy strike, halting operations at chocolate maker Marabou's factory in Upplands Väsby on June 27th.

Marabou, established in 1916, is Sweden's largest producer of chocolate bars.

"Seko's fight for decent conditions is applicable to the entire labour market," transport union head Lars Lindgren wrote in a statement about joining the conflict.

The strike has cost traffic corporations 15 million kronor ($2.3 million) per week, losses which may affect future ticket prices. Seko and employers' organization Almega have met on multiple occasions to negotiate but have been at an impasse for the past week.

The Seko union began the strike on June 2nd, claiming that the railway workers' employer, Veolia, fired 250 people only to rehire them under worse conditions.

TT/sr