FOA Leader Brings Sleeping Bags to Key Wage Talks

Mona Striib, chair of FOA and lead negotiator for municipal employees, confirmed that negotiators have moved into HK’s headquarters in Copenhagen during critical collective bargaining talks. The location is adjacent to Kommunernes Landsforening, where negotiations are formally held, making it easy to rest between sessions. "We’ve brought sleeping bags and mats," Striib said. "We’re staying put until we’re done." Striib expects tough negotiations, noting the public sector agreement already sets a binding 8.7% economic framework for the next three years. That deal covers around 200,000 state employees and guarantees a minimum 6.37% wage increase over the period, plus local negotiation pools and new benefits like paid leave to collect sick children, extending beyond the traditional first sick day. A new flexible benefits account also lets staff trade part of their salary for extra vacation, higher pay, or pension contributions. FOA’s priorities include improving local wage flexibility, parental support measures, workplace well-being agreements, and professional development opportunities. Sofia Osmani, mayor of Lyngby-Taarbæk and head of the municipal negotiating team, expressed cautious optimism, saying she looks forward to discussing all union proposals. Academic staff in municipalities aren’t part of these talks, their union, Akademikerne, will negotiate separately later this month.