This was still so in 1988 when I got my job here. Then, we were 270 employees on the shop floor, so we have lost a large number of jobs since then. This, of course, after fierce negotiations. Since 1995 the situation has been fairly stable and we also have new people in management to negotiate with, so for the time being we have no major arguments or disputes. This, however, can change quickly when the modernization is completed.
More automation usually leads to fewer jobs.
Discussions have already started on this future threat and hopefully we can solve the situation without having to send anyone out in unemployment. Salaries are normally paid monthly in Sweden. This gives an average of 33.6 hours per week. In the packaging department most members work 40-hour weeks as mentioned, but there is evening work and night work there as well. They work Monday to Thursday, which makes 32 hours per week.