Swedish Saw Mill 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 forms 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]

SSIAF merged into the Wood Industry Workers Union in 1948.^[1]

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