The goal of this cooperation agreement is to help Umeå University and its employees successfully develop the University. Through open dialogue and participation, employees who could be affected by a decision are given the opportunity to take part in the discussions that precede the actual decision-making. Cooperation creates a facilitative foundation for a positive workplace climate, a healthy work environment, and a workplace that keeps improving.
How cooperation works at Umeå University
Umeå University has a local collective agreement on cooperation for development – a cooperation agreement, in short. This agreement was jointly drafted and negotiated by Umeå University and the local divisions of the trade unions Saco-S, OFR/S and SEKO. It stipulates what cooperation at Umeå University should look like in practice. Parties cooperate on all important changes that (could) affect the relationship between the University and its employees. Examples include:
- work environment and safety
- gender equality
- equal treatment
- talent acquisition
- financial matters
- operational planning.
At Umeå University, cooperation happens on multiple levels and takes on different forms, including collaborative groups, workplace meetings and development discussions.
Cooperating as an employee
As an employee, there are two main ways in which you can affect your job and your professional situation: by attending workplace meetings and participating in development discussions with your manager.
Workplace meetings
Workplace meetings are a forum for dialogue and cooperation between Umeå University as an employer and its employees; together, we develop, plan and follow up on our work. There should be an open-minded climate of trust at these meetings and constructive discussions. The goal is to increase participation at the University and give everyone the opportunity to have a say and influence what happens at the University.
Meetings must take place on a regular basis, ideally at least once a month (except during the summer).
Development discussions
On the individual level, cooperation takes place when you converse with your manager. Development discussions, salary discussions and salary-setting discussions are structured, planned dialogues between you and your manager. During your annual development discussion, you and your manager discuss your professional situation and your development needs. Participating in these discussions is part of your job.
Read more about development discussions
Read more about salary discussions and salary-setting discussions
Collaborative groups
Besides workplace meetings and development discussions, cooperation also takes place in different collaborative groups. The University and the trade unions elect their own representatives to these groups. There are collaborative groups at different levels of the University.
For more information on how these cooperation bodies work and what they do, see the cooperation agreement.
Local collaborative groups (LSG) at the department level
A local collaborative group (LSG) deals with matters relating to a specific department or office.
Collaborative groups at the level of the faculty and the University Administration (FSG)
Faculty collaborative groups (FSG) deal with matters relating to a specific faculty and the University Administration.
University-wide collaborative group (CSG)
The university-wide collaborative group (CSG) deals with matters that concern the entire university, that affect multiple parts of the organisation or that are raised by any of the FSGs. It is also responsible for conducting negotiations in the framework of the Co-Determination in the Workplace Act.
Cooperation agreement
Through the following links, you can learn more about the Local collective agreement on cooperation for development at Umeå University.
If you have any questions about the agreement or cooperation at the University, you can discuss wíth your colleagues or ask your manager or trade union representative.
Cooperation agreement, English
Cooperation agreement, Swedish