Employees of King in Sweden have announced plans to initiate a strike after a proposed collective bargaining agreement was turned down

Two Swedish labor unions, Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer, have announced a potential strike against King, following the company's dismissal of a collective bargaining proposal last month. Unionen filed the strike warning on September 15, and discussions are continuing. The strike is set for September 25 if no resolution is achieved.

Solidarity actions from Naturvetarna, DIK, and Akademikerförbundet SSR include joining Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer in the strike effort. A Unionen spokesperson conveyed to Game File that the King's employees desire a collective contract to bolster their influence over workplace conditions and ensure employment stability.

In a statement, Unionen highlighted the importance of the agreement, explaining it encompasses more than just wages, covering areas like pensions, insurance, and working hours, positioning it as essential to Swedish job market security. An inquiry made by GamesIndustry.biz awaits Unionen's feedback, which will be updated accordingly.

Ulrika Höjgård, King's COO, countered by affirming that the company provides equitable and competitive work conditions, arguing that these meet or surpass those outlined by collective agreements. Höjgård emphasized their ongoing engagement with union reps and their commitment to maintaining productive discussions on key work-related topics, despite opting out of a formal collective agreement.

In a June correspondence to staff, Todd Green, King's president, emphasized that their decision against the collective agreement was a considered one. According to Kotaku, Green boasted of superior benefits already offered by the company including enhanced pension schemes, long-term sick pay, private health care, and parental leave. He noted that while a CBA could allow these to continue, it would necessitate altering benefit frameworks, possibly disadvantaging some employees in Sweden.

Green reiterated that the existing operational model suits King's current needs in Sweden and integrating a CBA would impose major alterations in their Swedish operations, including policy and procedural shifts. He assured that this stance was not a sign of disrespect toward trade unions or Swedish labor standards, promising an ongoing cooperative and constructive relationship with local union clubs, respecting necessary consultations with them.