Hello.
The result of collective bargaining between the Confederation of trade
unions in Norway and the largest employers organisation this spring is
not welcome among a large part of the members of the unions. Today they
have begun to vote the result, and during friday 28. april will the
result be known. It is negative the strike will start on wednesday third
of may.
The result of the bargaining was one more week of vacation and only 30
cents more pay per hour. This is considerably less than expected, since
the bosses have increased their wages a lot more.
Another disappointment was that the funding of the agreement about life
long education was not put in place. Everybody in Norway now has the
right to leave their work for some time to get more education, whatever
they want, up to three years, and then return and get their old position
back. But the demand of the unions is that this leave should be paid.
Both the trade unions, the government and the employers should pay. The
government is willing to pay whatever it is. There is a large majority
in parliament for this arrangement. But the trouble is that the
employers are not willing to pay if they are not allowed to decide who
is going to further education, and which kind of education.
The strike is expected, and it is reported that the Norwegian currency
is dropping on the bourses because of the expected strike. In two days
we will know if there is a big strike. Because it is going to big since
45% of the workforce is organised in this confederation of labour
unions.
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All the best
Tor F�rde
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
