Swedish union delegation denied entry to Elanders US site amid unionization dispute

However, despite this agreement, Elanders denied access to the delegation, which included Tony Berggren, President of UNI Europa Graphical & Packaging and International Secretary of GS Facket, and Martin Jefflén, International Secretary of Unionen. Theresa Haas, Director of Global Strategies for Workers United, SEIU, and Yadhira Alvarez, Chief of Staff of the LDFS Joint Board, also accompanied them.

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, stated, “Elanders cannot pick and choose when to follow international labour standards.… Elanders must honour that commitment, stop union-busting and respect workers’ fundamental right to organize.”

Workers at the North Bergen facility have been organizing to demand better wages, affordable health insurance, more paid time off, and a voice in their working conditions. In November 2024, most workers signed union cards supporting joining the LDFS Joint Board of Workers United, SEIU. Nevertheless, Elanders did not recognize the union and started an anti-union campaign. Consultants were hired to dissuade workers from supporting Workers United, and Elanders has filed legal objections to union election results, delaying recognition.

Union leaders also allege that Elanders fired a worker involved in organizing. This has attracted the attention of the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, which is investigating it as a potential Unfair Labor Practice.

Elanders is primarily owned by Swedish industrialist Carl Bennet. Tony Berggren remarked, “It is remarkable that a company that is co-owned by such a high-profile business leader with strong union values acts in this way.… I hope they step forward as a leader for justice and demonstrate that the strong union relations Elanders has in Sweden also apply in the United States.”

Martin Jefflén added, “Bergen Logistics must start living up to the Global Agreement that Elanders group has signed with UNI.… The agreement that applies to Bergen Logistics should give us the right to access to visit and talk to the workers. Today we were denied this.”

Elanders Group operates globally, employing over 7,000 workers in 20 countries. Its subsidiary, Bergen Logistics, manages four U.S. distribution centers. The LDFS Joint Board represents more than 8,000 workers in the New York metro area, including many in logistics.