fackförbund (facket)

A trade union. In everyday speech Swedes call it facket. Unions negotiate collective agreements, give members advice and legal help in disputes with an employer, and often run or work closely with an unemployment insurance fund (a-kassa).

Unions are organised by sector or profession, so where you belong depends on your job. Membership is voluntary and costs a monthly fee. A large share of people working in Sweden are members, and a union representative (facklig representant) at the workplace is common.

Joining a union and joining an a-kassa are two separate decisions, even when the same organisation offers both.