We spoke with Alexandra Wennberg, an U.S.-born epidemiologist based at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, who, during her first year in Sweden discovered that, yes, there is such a thing as a trade union for scientists.
– When I moved to Sweden, it took me a year to realise that there was a union for me because it never occurred to me that there could be trade unions for researchers. So, when I understood that this was an option for me, I was really excited because I only saw it as a really positive thing for salary negotiations and unemployment and just support of all of the various things that can happen, whether at the policy level or the individual level, says Alexandra.
A trade union for scientists
Even though a trade union is often seen as something that is more apt for industries, in the so called “blue collar” jobs, the presence of a trade union in academia can be valuable for researchers. And unlike many other countries, employers generally do not perceive trade union membership to be negative in Sweden, but rather the opposite.
Being part of Naturvetarna means that you can get more than just help with your collective bargaining, unemployment support and other work-related issues. You can also take part in the biennial congress, where the direction and focus of the trade union is discussed and agreed upon.
Alexandra, who in 2024 participated in Naturvetarnas congress says: “I was so excited to participate because I felt like, wow, I really see that as taking all of these issues affecting researchers and really putting thought into them. This is why I say that from the individual level to the policy level, I think it's really beneficial to have trade unions.”
How Naturvetarna work for scientists
We at Naturvetarna believe that educational institutions should provide stable employment opportunities. These are the positions that we actively work for:
- Universities should offer secure and long-term positions with continuous funding.
- All researchers should earn liveable salaries and not rely on grants.
- Working conditions should be equal for both Swedish and foreign researchers.
- Immigration laws should facilitate the settlement of international experts and their families in Sweden.
- The Swedish Migration Agency should expedite permit applications. The regulations need to be comprehensible and allow change of occupation.
- Assign coordinators to guide highly educated workers, including necessary agency contacts and permits when moving to Sweden.