Swedish unions call out Evolution Gaming for anti-union stance 

Swedish affiliates of UNI Global Union, Engineers of Sweden and Unionen, redoubled solidarity with striking workers in Georgia after a recent meeting at the headquarters of Evolution Gaming led to zero progress. The Swedish-owned online casino company still refuses to engage with striking workers at their operations in Georgia. 

Peter Hellberg, chairman of Unionen and President of UNI Europa, said: 

“They were also clear that they have no intention of having a dialogue with either the union in Georgia, UNI Global Union or the Swedish unions. Then there is no room for a constructive solution. Swedish companies operating abroad cannot hide behind references to local laws. Responsible business also includes living up to basic union and human rights. 

“Our door is open for further dialogue if the company wants to choose that path,” added Hellberg. 

Magnus Kjellson, International Secretary at Engineers of Sweden, said:  

“We have had a meeting at management level to find a way forward. It is a chaotic and serious situation for Evolution in Georgia, and our goal is to be able to calm down the situation. We need to be constructive to find a solution to the conflict, but Evolution is unfortunately dismissive. 

“Swedish multinational companies are expected to act responsibly abroad and follow OECD guidelines… In that sense, this is a unique situation, and I am very surprised by the company’s reluctance to dialogue. Now we see a great risk of the conflict getting stuck in a negative spiral that could affect the company’s reputation and relationship with the employees. This risks becoming a long and painful process.” 

Workers at the Evolution Georgia, which employs around 7,000 people, have been on strike since 12 July. A handful workers undertook a prolonged hunger strike. The final worker on hunger strike ended his protest after being taken to hospital in ambulance after 28 days with no food. 

The union is organizing a demonstration on 21 September and calls all supporters to join the strikers in their fight for better labour conditions. UNI has set up a solidarity fund for the strikers here.  

Both Engineers of Sweden and Unionen have long tried to establish a dialogue with Evolution’s management in Sweden. In March, the trade unions requested a meeting with Evolution’s Swedish leadership, who refused with the justification that the Georgian conflict is a local one. 

On 21 August, UNI sent a joint letter with Engineers of Sweden and Unionen to Evolution’s CEO Martin Carlesund, which called on the company to resume dialogue with the local union, Evo, in Georgia. 

Shortly after, UNI’s U.S. affiliate Culinary Workers Union Local 226 made an intervention at the Nevada Gaming Commission’s regulatory meeting in support of Evolution Georgia workers. It called on the commission reject Evolution’s license application in Nevada if the company “continues to refuse to treat its employees with respect and provide for decent wages and safe working conditions.” Evolution is the process of acquiring Galaxy Gaming in Las Vegas. 

Evo, which is affiliated to UNI through the Georgian LABOR union, had signed support from over 4,000 workers when the strike began in July. Many workers have been forced back to work as they struggle to support themselves. Around 400 members are still on strike and the union has maintained its picket at Evolution’s Tbilisi facility throughout, even though the company brought in teams of heavy-handed security workers, the union alleges attacked workers.   

UNI Global Union Head of Gaming Giedre Lelyte, said:  

“Evolution workers were driven to strike because the company refused to negotiate over living wages, safer conditions and dignity on the job – basic needs for workers everywhere.  Despite what the company’s management says, this struggle is not a local fight, but a global one. Unions in Sweden, Spain, the United States and beyond know the importance of workers’ demands and recognize Evolution’s behaviour for what it is: union busting. We won’t stop until Evolution respects workers and sits down with Evo to negotiate.” 

A recent Facebook post by the Swedish Embassy in Tbilisi promoting the company was met with such a strong negative response that the embassy walked back its glowing words about Evolution. 

In a further update, the Georgian human rights organization The Social Justice Centre has reported Evolution to Sweden’s department at the OECD for violations of fundamental human rights. Tech publication WIRED also recently ran a hard-hitting piece on the struggle.