Norway. Thousands of workers began a strike last Monday, after negotiations between the country’s two main unions and employers’ representatives broke down. Norwegian transport, hotel and construction sectors are impacted by the strikes, with more than 22000 workers from ‘LO’, the main trade union confederation, taking part alongside around 1500 from YS union. LO demanded increased purchasing power (+5%) for all its members, and a boost for the low-paid, but the employers’ representative has rejected all demands. For the last two years workers have had to cope with rising living costs, which have outstripped salary increases: while ordinary workers have not been getting the pay rises they need, there has been an explosion in executive pay and bonus schemes. If no solution is found during this week, another 16000 LO members will join the strike next Friday. The strike can expand quickly, to a total of 185000 workers at NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise) businesses.
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