Norway welfare workers strike after failed mediation

Forty employees in Norway's private welfare sector have gone on strike after mediation between the unions Fagforbundet and FO and the employer organization NHO Geneo collapsed. The strike began on Sunday morning following failed negotiations regarding a new collective bargaining agreement.

The initial strike involves 28 employees from Hero Norge, which operates commercial asylum reception centers, five from Stendi, a provider of child welfare and care services, and seven from the Salvation Army (Frelsesarmeen). Key points of contention include wage increases, compensation for inconvenient working hours, and wage boosts for the lowest-paid workers.

Union leaders stated they were forced to use strike action because NHO Geneo did not meet their demands for wages and working conditions. NHO Geneo expressed regret over the breakdown, stating that the union's demands were impossible to accept and that they had been unable to secure their goal of allowing a larger portion of wage settlements to be decided locally.

If no agreement is reached this week, the union has warned of an escalation, potentially involving an additional 36 employees from the child welfare and care company Aberia starting Friday.