Several hundred workers in accommodation, catering and cleaning at Norway's onshore oil and gas operations ended their month-long strike Tuesday morning. Fellesforbundet and NHO Service og Handel reached a deal after 17 hours of compulsory mediation, and the strike on the land-based catering agreement ends at 08:00 on Tuesday, according to NRK, according to Aftenposten.
The strike began on 25 September and covered employees at five companies. It affected daily operations at Equinor's oil and gas facilities at Mongstad, Hammerfest, Tjeldbergodden, Kollsnes and Kårstø. Workers will be brought back into work as soon as practically possible.
"Thanks to assistance from the mediator, we have managed to end the strike, which we are pleased about. Ever since the negotiations in June we have tried to find a solution," said Laust K. Poulsen, head of negotiations at NHO Service og Handel.
Fellesforbundet's head of negotiations, Gard Hofsvang, said she was well pleased with the result and thanked all members for a tremendous effort. "This is a very good result for our members who have been on strike for over a month. They have stood together the whole way. Without their effort we would not have reached the goal," she said.
The agreement gives a total wage increase of 10.50 kroner per hour with effect from 1 June this year. Minimum wage rates are raised correspondingly, and the trade certificate supplement is increased by 1.50 per hour. The parties also agreed that employers from 1 July 2027 will advance sick pay, care benefits and parental benefits on more closely specified terms.
The arrangement applies to employees who have been continuously employed for at least ten months.
Members of Fellesforbundet will now decide on the proposal recommended by the National Mediator. The date for the vote is 12 November.