Q&A in view of TechSverige’s decision to leave Almega

The tech industry is expanding and has established itself as Sweden’s new basic industry. The rapid growth imposes strict demands on TechSverige as an organisation. We need to keep up with developments and offer existing and new member companies an industry and employer organisation that is fully focused on the development and needs of the tech sector.

Over the past year, we have been in an ongoing dialogue with other organisations within Almega about what focus we should have going forward – unfortunately, we have not been able to agree on this.

We have been happy with the employer service we have received from Almega over the years, but it is time for us to organise that part on our own. Therefore, we see it is a natural step to exit the current collaboration with Almega. In doing so, we free up resources to fully focus on the needs of tech companies. Together, the other eight organisations within Almega can focus on their challenges.

 By being more independent, TechSverige will be able to offer:

• Better service and a more industry-specific offering
  An independent TechSverige will focus entirely on the needs of companies in the tech industry, tailoring our support, advice, influence, offers, services, and fee models to your specific needs.
• A clearer and stronger voice that creates better conditions for member companies and the tech industry
  With an independent TechSverige, the clarity with which we as an organisation act and communicate with the outside world will increase, enabling us to have greater impact on the industrial policy and employer policy interests that are important to you.
• An independent and good relationship with trade union counterparts, which increases our ability to develop collective agreements and partnerships in a direction that benefits the industry
  As an independent organisation, we will set our own agenda in relation to our trade union partners, while continuing to cooperate within the service sector, the sphere, and with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. By having our own good relationship with our trade union partners, we can more clearly represent the industry and create the best possible conditions for developing collective agreements as well as for reaching an agreement in contract negotiations without notice or conflicts.

Increased ability to manage, monitor, and streamline activities  
An independent TechSverige means that the organisation’s Board and Management will be able to fully manage and monitor both industry and employer activities and thus work to ensure that your membership fees are used appropriately. Our assessment is that there is efficiency and savings potential and that membership fees may be reduced over time.

TechSverige already conducts powerful advocacy activities when it comes to the industry’s common issues and has great expertise and experience in this area. TechSverige will now step up its work by also advocating more when it comes labour issues that are of particular importance to our member companies.

We represent a large and growing industry and already have many members. However, there is potential in getting more companies in the industry to understand the benefits of collective agreements. TechSverige believes in the Swedish model and wants to take in into the future. We do this best by further tailoring our services and agreements to the industry, which we are more likely to do by being independent than by remaining within Almega and the current collaboration agreement.

TechSverige will become independent from 1 January 2025, and our agreement with Almega will run as usual during the current year. In 2024 we will focus on preparing and implementing our new organisation so that it is ready to stand on its own two feet from the beginning of 2025.

We will now build up and further develop TechSverige’s employer service to ensure that we can meet your needs in the best possible manner. In concrete terms, this means that you, as a member with a collective agreement, will continue to be offered free advice on employer issues, including the following services:

• Labour law advice on various staff-related issues, reorganisations, work environment issues and all other issues that may arise in your role as an employer.
• Support in connection with trade union negotiations.
• Legal assistance in relation to labour law disputes, both during negotiations with trade unions and in court.
• Expertise and guidance on issues relating to pension, insurance, salary, work environment and skills supply.
• Training courses, events and networks.
• Digital support and templates available around the clock (equivalent to today’s Employer’s Guide).
• Good regional presence to support small and large member companies throughout the country.

This decision will have no impact on your collective agreement. TechSverige is the organization that signs and bears the collective agreements for the IT and Telecom sector, and the decision to leave the collaboration with Almega means no change at all regarding these agreements. Everything will continue as before, and no action is required from you as a company.

TechSverige’s close partnership and work with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise will not be affected by this decision, which means that our commitment to common issues will continue as before.

 The agreement will be formally terminated in connection with the Board resolution on 10 October; however, as the agreement has a termination period of one year from the end of the year, the current agreement will run throughout 2024.  During this time, you will have access to the same support and services as before.

In January 2025, TechSverige will become a fully independent organisation. Until then, in close contact with you, our members, as well as our trade union partners and other key stakeholders, we will prepare and ensure that we have an organisation that stands strong on its own two feet. Our focus is now on strengthening our employer service in order to best meet your needs. Not only the needs among larger companies, but also the needs of all the small business owners in the tech industry.

We will of course keep our members continuously informed throughout the process via the regular communication channels, such as newsletters, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!

The simple and only answer is ”no.” As members, you do not need to take any action in connection with the decision to exit our current collaboration with Almega. You are members of TechSverige, and we will continue to provide high-quality and industry-specific employer services and work to create the best possible conditions for you and all other tech companies operating in Sweden.

Your collective agreement is also unaffected; everything regarding the collective agreement remains unchanged. It is TechSverige that negotiates the collective agreements with our trade union partners, and these will continue in the same way as today.