Both the Transport Workers' Union and the Dockworkers' Union had threatened industrial action on Wednesday.
However, Transport came to an agreement, following mediation, late on Tuesday on a new collective agreement with the employer Swedish Ports.
The Dockworkers' Union's demands – including strengthened protection for elected representatives and a regulation of the situation for temporary employees – remain, according to chairman Martin Berg.
We haven't really achieved anything. They haven't been interested in discussing the demands we have, he says.
More notices
The strike, which means total work stoppage for the union's members, will be carried out until 18:00 on Wednesday in approximately 15 Swedish ports.
In addition to Wednesday's strike, the Dockworkers' Union has also threatened a series of short-term strikes and other industrial actions in different ports until June 5.
It's notices all over the country in different rounds, with more local variations. It's different ports and different times, but somewhere it's going to hit when they're on duty, says Martin Berg.
"Serious security situation"
Swedish Ports, which has responded to the notices with a lockout, believes that the industrial actions, given the fresh collective agreement, are unlawful.
"They have signed secondary agreements three times before, but now they choose to go on strike, says chief negotiator Johan Grauers in a press release.
According to Grauers, the industrial actions can have major consequences for Sweden's economy and preparedness.
"Sweden is a small country that is entirely dependent on import and export flows functioning. Especially in these exceptionally uncertain times on the world market and when there is a serious security situation, the ports are extra vulnerable", he says.
