Joining is the obvious choice!
Wondering why you should join the union? Whether it's worth the money? The answer is yes – you get back much more through everything that the collective agreement and membership gives you.
7 good reasons to join IF Metall
When many of us stand united, we can negotiate rights and benefits that we could
otherwise lose, and which we often take for granted. There are many reasons for joining IF Metall. Here are some of the most important:
1. Unemployment benefit and income insurance
You can get compensation from our unemployment fund if you lose your job. A supplementary income insurance is also included in the membership. Here you can calculate what the insurance would mean for you.
2. Decent conditions and good pay
Thanks to our collective agreements, you get, among other things, a good and fair wage, regular pay increases, reasonable working hours, overtime pay, unsocial hours supplements and reduced working hours. When you stop working, you can enjoy the extra contract pension.
3. A safe work environment
A good work environment is important for the prevention of accidents and illnesses. We make sure that the employer complies with the Work Environment Act and that there are health and safety officers working for your safety and wellbeing.
4. Help and support when it’s needed
We give you advice and support on dismissal, rehabilitation, wage negotiations and more. If needed, you can also get legal aid. We also help you to grow in your
professional role so you also have skills that will be in demand in the future.
5. Insured both at work and during leisure time
You can get compensation for both work injuries and accidents in leisure time, as well as when you are ill, through our collective agreements and members’ insurance. You can also get an extra allowance when you are on parental leave.
6. Influence at work
There are many important issues where the employer must negotiate with us at IF Metall at the workplace before making any decision. Some examples are making changes to working hours or work tasks, or how wages are to be developed and distributed in the workplace. As a member, you can be involved and have
an influence on this.
7. Together we are strong
It is difficult to demand rights on your own. But you are not on your own. We have 300,000 members. Together we can improve conditions for all industrial workers and make society fairer.
The Swedish Model
Since the late 1800s, Swedish trade unions have fought for workers to have good wages and fair working conditions. Compared with many other countries, Swedish trade unions have great influence, thanks to the fact that we are well organized with many members. This makes us strong – so strong that politicians do not have to be involved much in our working conditions.
Most things – everything from working hours and wages to pensions and insurance – we negotiate ourselves with the employers. That is what the collective agreement is.
Politicians can instead focus on our welfare systems and educational needs, that is, the foundation that gives us safe and competent workers. This is often called the
Swedish model.
This model requires that many of us are members of the union. When we are well organized and many people support our demands, we can continue to be a strong
voice and get strong collective agreements with fair conditions and good wages.
How much does it cost?
The membership fee depends on your income. On average, the IF Metall membershup fee is 1.55% of income. For the membership fee, you get unemployment benefit and income insurance if you lose your job, plus all the other important things stated in this brochure.