INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)

ICFTU OnLine
077/000509/DD

Norwegian strike sees successful outcome

Brussels May 9 2000 (ICFTU OnLine): Norwegian workers have been successful in their negotiations with employers. They have won an immediate hourly increase of 1.5 Norwegian Kronen, to be followed by increases of Kr.I in 2001 and an additional Kr.1.5 - 2 each of these two years for those in the lower pay categories. The employers also agreed to another week of paid holidays, by progressive steps of two days in 2001 and two days in 2002

Norwegian workers had put forward their demands at the end of March, for a salary increase, funding for further education and increased holiday entitlement.

In a message faxed yesterday to Yngve Haagensen, President of LO Norway, the Norwegian trade union centre, and ICFTU affiliate, Bill Jordan said that the ICFTU supported the Norwegian workers' struggle against greed and for social justice.

Workers' discontent had been fuelled by revelations about extremely generous pay increases and attractive pension arrangements for managers in Norway in recent years. They were also surprised by the short-sightedness of the employers who rejected increased funding of education and training, which they believe is a means of guaranteeing the competitiveness of the Norwegian workforce. Until today's agreement, Norwegian workers also had the shortest paid holiday entitlement in Europe.

The employers made an interim offer at the end of April of a minimal pay rise of Kr.0.75 an hour, but which rejected demands for continuing education, and increased holiday allowance. This offer was turned down by the majority of workers, who called for May's strike.

The strike began on May 3, when about 86,000 people stopped work, and was the largest industrial action in Norway since 1986.

The ICFTU, which had also called on Norwegian employers to resume negotiations in good faith and without delay, said that the agreement demonstrated the strength of internal solidarity, as a number of unions and International Trade Secretariats had given their support.

For further details please contact ICFTU Press Department on: ++322 224 0212

 

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