Sverige

The Trade Union History of Hairdressers in Sweden

1906/1907

The Swedish Hairdressers’ Assistants Union is founded

  • The first national trade union for employed hairdressers is established.

  • Its goal is to achieve better wages, working hours, and employment conditions for hairdressers.

1907

The first hairdressers’ strike

  • Hairdressers in Landskrona go on strike to demand better working conditions.

  • This becomes one of the earliest known trade union conflicts in the profession.

1928

The Swedish Hairdressers’ Workers Union and the first national collective agreement

  • The union changes its name from the Swedish Hairdressers’ Assistants Union to the Swedish Hairdressers’ Workers Union.

  • During this period, the first nationwide collective agreement for the hairdressing industry is concluded, creating common rules for wages and working conditions across Sweden.

1974

The Employment Protection Act (LAS) is introduced

  • Hairdressers, along with other employees, gain stronger protection against unfair dismissal.

1977

The Work Environment Act is introduced

  • Employers' responsibility for providing a safe and sustainable work environment is strengthened.

  • This is particularly important for hairdressers who work with chemicals and physically demanding positions.

 

1989

The Hairdressers’ Employees Union merges with Handels

  • Hairdressers become part of the Swedish Commercial Employees’ Union (Handels), gaining the support of a larger organization in collective bargaining and workplace issues.

2017

Health checks become part of the collective agreement

  • After many years of trade union demands, hairdressers gain the right to regular occupational health examinations through the collective agreement.

  • This is especially important due to exposure to chemicals, allergies, eczema, and musculoskeletal injuries.

  • It is regarded as one of the most significant workplace health and safety achievements for the profession in recent decades.

2025

Improved occupational pension contributions for hairdressers

  • In the 2025 collective bargaining round, contributions to the occupational pension scheme were increased.

  • This means hairdressers receive higher pension payments through the collective agreement.

  • The improvement strengthens financial security after retirement and represents an important trade union victory for the industry.