Swedish Sawmill Industry Workers' Union

The Swedish Saw Mill Industry Workers Union (Swedish: Svenska sågverksindustriarbetarförbundet, abbreviated SSIAF) was a trade union of saw mill workers in Sweden. The union was founded in 1891, it was initially known as Svenska sågverks- och brädgårdsarbetareförbundet.[1]

The union died out after a few years, but was refounded in 1897.[2] The refounding followed a decision by the congress of the Social Democratic Labour Party to organize workers in Norrland.[3] Kymmer Olof Danielsson from Gävle became the chairman of the refounded union.[4] In 1898 it was one of three trade unions that founded the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).[2] The organization experienced a period of growth between 1905 and 1907, during which many new branches were set up.[3]

The name SSIAF was adopted in 1908.[1] SSIAF suffered a severe backlash after the failed 1909 general strike. The union lost around 67% of its membership during this period.[2]

In 1925 SSIAF formed a joint cartel along with the forest and paper industry unions. In 1936 the three union launch a joint publication, Skogsindustriarbetaren ('The Forest Industry Worker').[2] The SSIAF member August Lindberg became the LO chairman in the same year (a position he held until 1947).[5]

In 1920, the cellulose workers in the union left to join the new Swedish Paper Workers' Union, while in 1937, 10,497 relevant workers transferred to the Swedish Forest and Rafters' Union.[6] SSIAF merged into the Swedish Wood Industry Workers' Union in 1948.[1]