Akademikerförbundet SSR is a union of university graduates whose members have a degree in economics, social science, social work or personnel management. Our members can be found in all sectors of society. Twenty-five percent of the professionals hold executive or managerial positions.
The union consists of more than 300 local chapters and regional councils with one national office. The General Meeting is the supreme decision making body of the union and takes place every second year. The Executive Committee is supplemented in the professional domain by special Professional Councils.
Akademikerförbundet SSR is affiliated with SACO, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations, a politically independent confederation of twenty-five unions of university graduates with a total of approximately 600,000 members.
Aims and activities
We strive to promote and further develop the professional roles of our members; to increase remuneration and improve working conditions; and to influence the quality and conditions of university education in our respective disciplines. We offer members individual counselling and represent them in nego-tiations with employers. Other important tasks are lobbying and similar activities to influence employers, government, parliament and other sectors of society as well as public opinion in matters relating to our members and their professions.
A complementary income insurance is part of the membership of Akademikerförbundet SSR. If unemployed, this income insurance gives you 80 percent of your previous income (max income 100 000 SEK), for a 140 day-period. The complementary income insurance is a complement to the compensation you get from the Unemployment Fund (A-kassan).
The union offers general insurance through an insurance company owned jointly by Akademikerförbundet SSR and three of its affiliates in SACO. We can offer special bank loans and other benefits through our banking partners.
We put special emphasis on issues pertaining to the work environment as well as to gender equality and equality in salary, working conditions and terms of employment. In the profes-sional field we endeavour to improve professional performance by focusing on ethics and quality development and by arranging major annual professional seminars and conferences.
The union journal distributed to all members with 10 issues a year, features general union matters as well as professional concerns.
International commitment
Solidarity is the basis of all union activity. The commitment to solidarity of the Akademikerförbundet SSR includes support for colleagues and sister organisations all around the world. This is accomplished in part through our Solidarity Fund aimed at international development aid for professional development, trade union rights, human rights and social justice.
International affiliation is sought for all professions in the association. The union is affiliated with and very active in the International Federation of Social Workers, IFSW. The IFSW has consultative status II with the ECOSOC of the United Nations and represents more than 425,000 social workers in 60 countries.
Akademikerförbundet SSR is a member of the International Council on Social Welfare, ICSW, and has close contacts with the International City Managers Association, ICMA.
Our international co-operation is also at a high level in both the Scandinavian/Nordic countries and in the European Union. Sweden´s membership in the EU creates new demands for participation and for continuous development of co-operation with colleagues and other professional associations. Akademikerförbundet SSR is a member of Public Services International, PSI, a trade union federation for public sector workers. PSI represents 20 million workers in 525 public sector trade unions in 141 countries.
