
Issue No 53		12 May 2000

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International

Solidarity in a Cold Climate

After an overnight bargaining marathon, Norway's unions have secured most of their main demands and have now ended their nationwide strike.

The settlement proposal, reached at 3.30 this morning at the national mediator's office, has been unanimously recommended to the membership by the union negotiators. It was agreed just two and a half hours before the strike was due to escalate.

84,600 Norwegian workers had been on strike across the private sector since 3 May, following the membership's rejection of a previous mediated settlement offer. From this morning, a total of 102,119 workers would have been out. Industrial unions affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) played a major part in the campaign. Altogether, more than a third of Norway's private sector union members were involved in the strike - reportedly the country's biggest industrial campaign in fifty years.

The new proposed settlement is a big improvement on the previous offer which sparked the strike. It vindicates the tough stance taken by the union negotiators in the overnight talks.

The main results for union members covered by agreements with the private sector employers' federation NHO: [1 Norwegian krone = 11 US cents]

- A pay rise of 1.50 Norwegian kroner per hour for all, with effect from today. A further increase for all of 1 kr. per hour from next April.

- Those earning less than 87 percent of the average industrial wage will get an additional 2 kr. increase per hour from today and a further additional 2 kr. from next April.

- Those earning between 87.1 and 92 percent of the average industrial wage will get an additional 1.50 kr. per hour from today, and a further additional 1.50 kr. from next April.

- A fifth week's annual leave will be phased in for all, starting with two extra days' leave next year and two more in 2002. Workers aged over 60 will be entitled to six weeks' annual leave.

- The agreement will run for two years.

- The employers will contribute to financing a reform of vocational training and continuing education. This had been a major union demand. The government will give priority to facilitating legislation on this.

These provisions are in addition to agreements already negotiated by unions in some sectors.

The proposed settlement will now be put to the union membership in a ballot.

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  Issue 53 contents

Interview: The Fruitful Shaw
After ten years in Parliament, NSW Industrial Relations Minister Jeff Shaw looks at some mountains still to be climbed.

Politics: Budget in Reply
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley replies to the Federal budget and paints Labor's alternative vision for the future.

Economics: Petition to Move a Mountain
A child born in Zambia or Tanzania or Bolivia owes more to international creditors than she or he will ever earn in a lifetime.

International: Solidarity in a Cold Climate
After an overnight bargaining marathon, Norway's unions have secured most of their main demands and have now ended their nationwide strike.

Health: Workers Health Centre Comes of Age
In 2001, the Workers Health Centre will celebrate its 25th anniversary, making it the longest running independent trade union based health and safety service in the country.

History: A Tribute to the Fallen
A Canadian tractor operator is seeking help to produce a book on monuments to people killed in the workplace.

Satire: Ralph Web Ring Busted
Following the dismissal of 27 Telstra employees last week for downloading hardcore pornography on their work computers, Ralph magazine sacked five employees yesterday for downloading positive images of women.

Review: Waterfront - Through the Reporters' Eyes
Fairfax journalists Helen Trinca and Anne Davies have skillfully transformed the waterfront war into the sort of thriller that any self-respecting Hollywood mogul would reject for being too wild to be true.

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