Read this article in:
English
18 September, 2006
The ICEM has a new Norwegian affiliate, the result of a merger between oil and gas union NOPEF and chemicals union Norsk Kjemisk. On 4 September in Oslo, the two unions officially merged during a day-long joint Congress to form Industri Energi.
The merged union, with a combined membership of 45,000 members, will have its headquarters in Oslo.
NOPEF President Leif Sande was elected Industri Energi’s first president, while Liv Undheim, former Deputy President of Norsk Kjemisk, won election as Vice President. After a long and successful career as Norsk Kjemisk President, Olav Stoylen took a well deserved retirement, effective with the 4 September Congress.
The union marriage marks the second such merger this year among Norway’s trade unions. Last January, ICEM affiliate Fellesforbundet took in the Norwegian Graphical Workers’ Union, creating one big union for the pulp, paper, graphical and cardboard industry.