Norway: the new wage agreement signed in the oil industry doesn’t dismiss the risk of social conflict

A deal was reached on May 9 between the manufacturing and energy workers’ union (Industrienergi) and the Norwegian Gas and Oil Association (Norske Olje og Gass).  It covers workers (operators, drillers and caterers) on oil rigs, working in groups such as Statoil BP or AS Norske Schell, among others.  However, the talks were suspended with the other two union organizations, Safe (energy workers) and Lederne (Norwegian commercial and technical employees and executives), who wanted to lobby on the issue of pensions.  Mediation was launched but unions are preparing to strike.
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Net pay improvements. This agreement means a net improvement in the amount of different benefits, leading to an annual increase of nearly NOK 18,000 (€2,215.7). Leif Sande, leader of Industrienergi, rejoiced with this: “With an increase of over NOK 18,000, our members’ pay is actually growing. It isn’t bad.” One of the key elements obtained is compensation for the time during which employees wait for the helicopter to get back to the continent and for the time they have to keep working if t

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