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Norway railway labor disputes: Locomotive driver strike

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2026-09-20 19:15 UTC → 2026-09-24 04:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Labor tensions in the Norwegian railway sector have escalated into an active strike by locomotive drivers following the expiration of a mediation deadline. The Norsk Lokomotivførerforbund (NLF) initiated industrial action against the state-owned transport company Vy, seeking greater predictability in working hours and ‘equal pay for equal work’ ahead of a planned 2028 merger between Vy and Flytoget. The union argues that Vy drivers require gradual salary adjustments to reach parity with Flytoget employees, who currently maintain higher base salaries. Specifically, NLF members at Vy earn approximately 88,000 NOK less annually on average than their counterparts at Flytoget. Union leader Rolf Ringdal has criticized Vy’s position, describing it as ‘poor wage and personnel policy.’ Conversely, the employer organization Spekter, representing Vy, stated that the union’s wage demands are more than three times the expected norm, noting that the company has offered a 4.4 percent wage growth in line with other major labor sectors. Beyond wage disparities, the dispute has expanded to include opposition to proposed changes in scheduling. Vy intends to replace the current system, which allows drivers to request long-term rosters tailored to family and health needs, with an artificial intelligence-based system for scheduling routes and shifts. Drivers argue this transition could lead to increased work pressure and a loss of personal autonomy. The strike has caused significant service disruptions, including 128 cancelled departures on Monday and 111 on Tuesday. ~~While the impact was initially expected to be concentrated north of Eidsvoll on the RE10 line, the cancellations have caused widespread issues.~~ Vy has maintained its stance that it will not provide alternative transport, such as replacement buses, taxis, or flights, for affected passengers.

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