18-03-2025
Wage talks between Norway's unions and employers head to mediation
The breakdown comes four days after the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise entered into talks on a collective bargaining agreement.
'We have had good and constructive negotiations but are still so far apart that it is now natural to ask the Ombudsman for assistance,' NHO CEO Ole Erik Almlid told reporters on Tuesday.
The talks concerned the 'frontline industries', which are negotiated before other collective agreements and set the basis for other wage talks due to Norwegian industry being more subject to international competition and conditions than other sectors.
Talks between the national mediator and the two parties will begin at the end of the month, and Almlid said both parties hope they would be able to avoid a general strike. A strike could be called as early as April 2nd if an agreement isn't reached with a meditator.
This year's talks are what's referred to as an 'interim settlement'. In short, this means only wage rises, and not general working conditions, are up for discussion.
Public broadcaster
NRK
reported that the breakdown concerned the framework of the salary rises, and how much of workers' wage hikes will apply nationally and how much will be up for negotiation between smaller unions and employers.
Almlid said that global uncertainty meant that the amount of wage increase firms could offer fluctuated.
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'It's a difficult situation, with an escalating trade war and some industries struggling more than others. That's part of the background we're taking with us when we go to the Ombudsman,' he said.
Meanwhile, unions were pushing for a real wage increase, meaning that wage increases outpace inflation. According to numerous forecasts, workers in Norway are expected to see their wages increase more than inflation in 2025.
