What we are

Our mission

The Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS) is the only organisation for regional cooperation between national trade union confederations in the world.  The fact that we bring together blue collar confederations, white collar confederations and confederations of professional and academic organisations also makes us unique. Practically every professional category present in the Nordic labour market is represented under the NFS umbrella. Through our affiliated organisations we represent over 8.5 million organised workers, making us the largest social movement in the Nordic region. Our vision is a sustainable and inclusive working life. Our starting point and focus is the Nordic model of collective bargaining. We safeguard trade union rights and freedom of association and work to promote Nordic, European and Global cooperation based on workers' rights. We work towards and contribute to developing and strengthening the Nordic collective bargaining model, focusing on achieving full employment and a sustainable working life. 

The NFS was formed in 1972, with a focus on Nordic trade union coordination in European affairs, the EC, EFTA and within the ETUC which was established the following year (1973). The idea was that by more organised coordination and cooperation the Nordic confederations would gain greater influence and impact together than each on their own. Since then, our activities have evolved into our four current main areas of work: The Nordic region, the Baltic Sea region, Europe and Globally. Today, we have an independent mandate to influence intergovernmental and interparliamentary bodies in the Nordic region in accordance with the interests of our members. In other fields of activity the main mission of the NFS is to serve as a platform for activities, coordination and cooperation among member organisations.

The NFS is also coordinates its members' joint nominations for international trade union assignments,  primarily within the ILO, ITUC, ETUC and TUAC, the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD. This coordination of joint Nordic nominations significantly increases the scope for members to exert joint influence and achieve representation through shared Nordic representatives in various international roles. 

Our member organisations' shared interests form the basis for our work and our cooperation, through which we strive to foster close cooperation between members. We promote cooperation focused on shared targets and trade union interests through exchanging experiences, lobbying and collaboration. The strategic focus of the NFS is based on five main areas:

• A sustainable, inclusive working life
• Sustainable welfare and education
• Sustainable growth and competitiveness
• Democratic development
• Just green transition

Our activities are based on:

• The Nordic collective bargaining model
• Labour mobility