The active SD politician Ulf Karlström in Luleå was elected group chairman of one of IF Metall's trade unions at SSAB in Luleå, but he was dismissed following a decision by IF Metall's federal board.

The motivation was that a position of trust in the union is not compatible with the political position in the Sweden Democrats.

"Eastern state shapes by IF Metall"

On Wednesday, Ulf Karlström made his last day as union chairman and the club board appointed vice chairman Mats Bäcklund as temporary replacement.

- There is nothing wrong with my values, it is what I do in my spare time that has made me dismissed by IF Metall.

I think it's eastern state shapes.

It is still the members who have chosen me, says Ulf Karlström.

He says that Mats Bäcklund told the members of the pig iron department that he will be temporary group chairman "until they have found a suitable candidate".

- Then it was a member who asked him if it was not the members who should find a suitable candidate.

No, IF Metall is not a democratic organization.

They believe that you are welcome to be chairman, as long as you have the right colors, says Ulf Karlström.

Membership flight threatens union

On February 23, IF Metall has a nomination meeting and annual meeting at SSAB in Luleå and Ulf Karlström believes that the union will ensure that he is not eligible for any position of trust.

- I have been a member of Metall for 35 years, but now it's probably over.

If we do not get rid of the management of the club board at the annual meeting, I will leave the union and I will not do it alone.

Quite a few members will do the same.

I have actually held them back until now, says Ulf Karlström.

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IF Metall's members elected Ulf Karlström as union chairman at SSAB in Luleå.

Now he is being poked because he is active in SD - in the clip he tells SVT how he intends to pursue the issue further.

Photo: Anders Hjertström / SVT