The BWI-affiliated GS Facket, or the Union for the Forestry, Wood and Graphic Industry, opened its fourth congress on 22 May 2026 in the presence of 169 delegates in Umeå, Northern Sweden. Ambet Yuson, BWI General Secretary, and Geneviève Kalina, BWI Regional Representative for Europe, attended the event, held with the central message: “We are the Future.”

“The union has focused on building the organisation and recruiting members,” said Per Olof Sjöö, outgoing president of GS Facket, who explained that members need to understand that they are the union. Sjöö also stressed the increasingly fragmented labour market, with more small businesses, growing numbers of self-employed workers, increasingly precarious employment, rising levels of posted work, an emerging gig economy, and work-related crime. He also cited other challenges ahead, such as the underfunded public pension system, pensions that are far too low, and the health insurance qualifying deduction. Finally, he insisted on the importance of providing relevant knowledge and training, ensuring a fair housing policy, and increasing the share of wood used in multi-family homes. Despite this harsh context, GS has invested in an academy of the future to ensure renewal and has improved its services to members.

Sjöö concluded: “This congress is my last as president of GS. For the last 17 years, I have had the great privilege of leading this union. It is rewarding to have devoted such a large part of my life to working for an idea and adream of a better society.”

Speaking at the event, BWI General Secretary Yuson stressed: “You have raised the voice of workers in the Amazon on the global stage. It is with great honour that I announce this solidarity fund, raised by GS members for a project, will be designated in your name. Your work will continue to inspire us.” Yuson added: “GS has shaped the BWI agenda by placing forests, climate justice, migrant rights, and labour rights at the centre of our global agenda.

Newly elected GS President Madelene Engman pledged to ensure that GS remains a relevant union for its members by focusing on organising and building local union strength. Magnus Lindberg was elected first vice president, while Jonathan Lundberg and Jörgen Johansson were elected second and third vice presidents, respectively.

Interesting panel discussions took place on youth issues with academics from the Future Academy, and on organising with BWI affiliates from the USA, Georgia, and Latvia. There were also inspiring speeches by the president of LO and the secretary of the Swedish Social Democratic Party. International guests also attended seminars on Swedish collective bargaining, migrant workers and labour crime, and the realities of forestry work in Sweden.