General Relationship to Unions
SAP & LO consider themselves two wings of one
movement
Frequent meetings and much interchange of staff
This special relationship, with SAP's almost continuous
tenure in office, has given LO status of a partner in government
Affiliation is by and through union branches
When branch affiliates, individual members may contract
out
Majority of formal SAP membership by union
affiliation
Still majority of members of LO unions in branches which
have not affiliated
LO, no formal affiliation
But has
representative on party's executive committee
Provides
campaign funds
At election
time at local and regional level, they are so intertwined as to be indistinguishable
Trade union leaders typically don't serve in cabinet and,
if they do, they resign their union offices
Left Party
Former
Communist Party
In most
countries party that attempts to represent the working class
Significant
in terms of Riksdag seats but little influence in unions