“We take this as a signal that they’re ready to drop their demand for discretionary pension benefits to be included in the pay agreement, and are seeking dialogue,” says Jan Hodneland, the OLF’s chief negotiator.
Industry Energy and the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers (Safe) announced today that they will not be stepping up the strike.
“Their refusal to escalate the stoppage could mean that the desire to pursue a confrontation is minimal,” says Hodneland.
“Our door is open, and we would welcome a dialogue to end this dispute. The unions have undoubtedly realised that their 32-year-old demand to include pensions in the pay deal is completely unreasonable.”
The unions have been making comments to the media recently which divert attention from the core issue at stake.
“The fact that the unions are now talking about everything but pensions – which is the actual point at issue – is another signal that they’re unlikely to insist on this demand,” says Hodneland.
“I now hope that they’ll reassess our offer, which was well above what all other workers in Norway have received, so that we can bring an end to this conflict.”
Further information from:
Eli Ane Nedreskår, communications manager, working life, OLF, mobile: +47 99 45 01 01