Swedish construction union Byggnads has filed a lawsuit against Lithuanian scaffolding company Global Scaffolders UAB seeking 107.8 million kronor in compensation. The legal action follows an extensive investigation by the union that revealed systematic labor violations spanning several years. Global Scaffolders has been one of the largest companies in Sweden's scaffolding industry, working on major construction projects across the country.

According to Byggnads' findings, workers at the company were paid for 40-hour work weeks but actually worked ten hours per day from Monday through Saturday. This practice resulted in employees working over 50 hours weekly without proper compensation for overtime, weekend pay, and other entitlements outlined in collective bargaining agreements. The union alleges the company profited millions from unpaid wages and benefits that rightfully belonged to workers.

The Lithuanian firm has been involved in some of Sweden's largest infrastructure projects, including the Västlänken railway, Stockholm Bypass, and the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant. Many of these projects were funded with taxpayer money, raising concerns about proper oversight of subcontractors. Byggnads officials emphasize that the case highlights broader issues within the construction industry regarding compliance with labor standards.

Union representatives are calling for increased responsibility from main contractors and project owners to monitor companies operating on their sites. The lawsuit also addresses unpaid taxes and social security contributions that resulted from the alleged labor violations. Byggnads has submitted all relevant documentation to authorities as part of their effort to address what they describe as widespread problems in the industry.

Two senior leaders from ABB Electrification Service have been named among the Future of Field Service's prestigious 2025 Stand Out 50 Leaders, recognizing their significant contributions to advancing service innovation in the energy sector. Dr. Matthew Wise, Global Head of Strategy & Business Development, and Andressa Ferraz, Sustainability Advisory Service Manager for EMEA, were selected for their outstanding work in redefining field service capabilities and developing customer-centric energy solutions that support the global energy transition.

The recognition highlights the team's instrumental role in helping customers navigate complex energy challenges through new service business models and strategic collaborations. Their work emphasizes operational rigor, circularity principles, and long-term customer value creation, positioning ABB as a key partner for industries modernizing critical infrastructure and accelerating the shift toward smarter, cleaner operations. The award underscores ABB Electrification Service's commitment to extending asset lifetimes while supporting customers' sustainability objectives.

Stuart Thompson, President of ABB Electrification Service, praised the leaders' achievements, stating: "This recognition reflects Matt's and Andressa's commitment to redefining what field service can achieve when we work together with our customers as trusted partners. Their leadership in developing accessible energy solutions shows how service innovation can drive both performance and sustainability, all while remaining relentlessly focused on customer outcomes." He emphasized that their approach has enabled customers to better manage the complexities of renewable energy integration.

Dr. Wise has been instrumental in driving strategic partnerships and acquisitions to expand ABB's innovation ecosystem, particularly in digitalization, energy storage, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and edge computing. His collaborations with startups such as GridBeyond, Ndustrial, and Pratexo have enhanced ABB's ability to deliver sophisticated electrical asset management and real-time decision-making capabilities. Meanwhile, Ferraz has played a crucial role in pioneering ABB's newly launched Battery-Energy-Storage-Systems-as-a-Service offering, addressing critical market needs around energy storage and management solutions.