Bargaining talks collapse in Norway

NORWAY: The Norwegian metalworkers' union Fellesforbundet, affiliated to the IMF at international level, reports that the bargaining process for a new collective agreement, which began on March 11 with the employers' organisation, TBL, broke down on March 20. They will now go into mediation, which will begin on April 2. The current collective agreement for the Norwegian metal industry expires on March 31. Fellesforbundet's main demands concern a real wage increase, collective pension schemes and general improvements in the collective agreement, especially with regard to the offshore sector. The employers have extensive demands, dealing particularly with flexibility. Should the mediation fail, Fellesforbundet has made it clear that its members are prepared to go out on strike in support of their claims.