Sweden – Public Transport Strike Spreads

Members of the Swedish municipal employees union Kommunal expanded their bus strike from Stockholm, Sodertalje, and Umea to other cities across Sweden June 24, and included some tram services. If negotiations continue to be unsuccessful, more union members have threatened to walk off the job beginning 1400 June 29, which would suspend most service in Stockholm, Malmo, and Gothenburg, including airport shuttles. The strike has affected tens of thousands of commuters and travelers since it began June 19 and has resulted in significant crowding on metro trains, increased gridlock, and higher demand on taxis in urban areas as commuters resort to using alternate transportation options.