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29 March, 2000Bargaining talks have broken down between the trade union center and employers.
NORWAY: The IMF-affiliated Fellesforbundet reports that negotiations for the 2000 collective bargaining round in the private sector, which began on March 6, have broken down. Norway's LO, the national trade union center, which is negotiating a coordinated settlement this year on behalf of all its affiliated members, announced on March 16 that the talks had failed.
A mediator has now taken over, and should this attempt not succeed in finding an acceptable solution to both bargaining parties by the March 31 midnight deadline, a strike will commence on April 1 at 6 a.m.
Employers have, thus far, shown no signs of willingness to accept the unions' demands, which are:
- five weeks' vacation (now 21 days);
- funding for further education;
- a real increase in wages.
If strike action does begin on April 1, 21,500 workers from various sectors of Norwegian industry will down their tools. This will include Fellesforbundet members in the construction industry. Should the dispute escalate, other groups will also be called out on strike.
A mediator has now taken over, and should this attempt not succeed in finding an acceptable solution to both bargaining parties by the March 31 midnight deadline, a strike will commence on April 1 at 6 a.m.
Employers have, thus far, shown no signs of willingness to accept the unions' demands, which are:
- five weeks' vacation (now 21 days);
- funding for further education;
- a real increase in wages.
If strike action does begin on April 1, 21,500 workers from various sectors of Norwegian industry will down their tools. This will include Fellesforbundet members in the construction industry. Should the dispute escalate, other groups will also be called out on strike.