The National Organization in Norway (LO) is Norway’s largest employee organization. Over 970,000 members are organized in a number of trade unions affiliated to LO. LO’s confederation organizes workers in both the private and public sector, in all industries and professions. Of those organized by LO, 50% are women. In workplaces where there are LO members, there is someone who takes care of the professional work and who is the organisation’s mouthpiece towards the employers. These are the local shop stewards, about 60,000. All LO-organised members have the right to choose their own shop stewards and the right to stand for election. The trade union movement in Norway is democratically structured, with free elections at all levels and at all levels. A number of trade unions are affiliated with LO. They vary in membership from under a thousand to over 300,000 members.
In recent years, several associations have joined forces to gain greater impact and provide better service for members. Harsh and bitter labor conflicts characterized the labor movement’s advance and breakthrough in the 1920s and 30s. During the German occupation of Norway, many trade unionists were involved in resistance work and illegal activities. After the war, the labor movement played a leading role in building the Norwegian welfare society. Most people gained prosperity and security. Within a few decades, Norway became a rich country, with smaller class differences and a fairer distribution of goods than most other societies in the world.
In 2021, LO leader Hans-Christian Gabrielsen died: Peggy Hessen Følsvik took over as the new LO leader.
Read more on Lo.no
