A critical strike deadline is creating urgency in Norway. Mediation talks between the union SAFE and the employer Gassco are set to end at midnight on March 30. If the talks fail, a strike will begin at 06:00 on March 31. This action would disrupt operations at the Kårstø gas processing plant, a key facility for European gas exports. The talks are focused on reaching a new collective agreement for 260 workers at the Kårstø plant. SAFE has warned that a strike will start early on March 31 if no deal is reached. The previous collective agreement for these workers expired on December 31, 2025.
The Kårstø plant processes natural gas and natural gas liquids from fields in the North Sea. Gassco has stated that a strike would force a partial shutdown of the facility, directly impacting gas exports. The plant plays an important role in the European energy supply chain. The situation remains tense as the midnight deadline approaches, with both parties engaged in final negotiations to avoid industrial action. The potential strike highlights the importance of the collective bargaining process for critical infrastructure workers. The outcome of these talks will determine whether gas exports from Kårstø continue.