Ikea accused of ‘vicious’ anti-union campaign, allegedly using intimidation tactics
Ikea violated workers’ rights to unionise in three countries, a federation of unions has claimed in a complaint filed to the OECD.
The UNI Global Union, a collection of 900 unions from 140 countries, accuses Ikea of a “vicious anti-union campaign in the United States, Ireland, and Portugal.”
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It filed a complaint against the Swedish furniture giant with authorities in the Netherlands, where the company has its head office.
The head of UNI Global Union, Christy Hoffman, said: “Ikea knows what it means to have sound industrial relations, and yet it is simply not playing by the rules that govern global corporations.
“The company’s top management repeatedly ignored the red flags that workers and unions have raised about violations of rights in its stores around the world. So we’ve asked the Dutch government to step in to ensure that we can end these unacceptable practices.”
The complaint revolves around working conditions, scheduling, sick leave policies and alleged sexual harassment in the three countries.
It also alleges management in the three countries misrepresented the downsides of union membership, and intimidated workers to prevent them unionising.
In the company’s Dublin store, workers were physically removed after trying to unionise, the complaint alleges.
“We see common themes between these three countries, which is why we are taking action against Ikea as a global company, not [against] its local stores,” Hoffman told CityAM
She continued: “We don’t know if this was top-down orders or top-down looking the other way. Either way it was unacceptable.”
Dutch authorities are expected to hold discussions with Ikea and UNI Global before deciding whether to take on the case. This process typically takes three months.
Following that, the two will go through a mediation process, trying to reach an agreement. If there is no agreement, the authorities will publish a list of recommendations.
The OECD has no power to punish Ikea if it does not follow the recommendations.
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An Ikea spokesperson said the company was aware of the complaint, adding it is “committed to providing a great place to work, permeated by a spirit of collaboration, dignity and respect".
They added: "We respect and welcome the free choice of our co-workers to seek representation through any kind of co-worker association. While Ikea Group respects the free choice of our co-workers to join – or not to join – a co-worker association or union, we will not take sides or express preference to any association.
"Ikea Group complies strictly with the applicable regulations in relation with union organising activities in each country where it operates."