“No other choice”
Oslo stops gas strike – negotiations forced
07/06/2022 00:53
In Norway, wage negotiations between companies and unions in the oil and gas industry collapse. Strikes begin. But the government considers the timing to be highly inopportune. With a view to security of supply, it is forcing both sides to hold new talks.
Norway’s government intervened in workers’ strikes on oil and gas platforms in the North Sea amid concerns about gas supplies in Europe. The government wants to force an agreement between the union and the employers’ organization, it said. At the request of Labor Minister Marte Mjøs Persen, the parties said they would end the strike so that everyone could get back to work as soon as possible. According to Norwegian law, the government can intervene in collective bargaining disputes and bring the dispute to an independent collective bargaining body for a decision.
“It is irresponsible to stop gas production on such a large scale as this strike could result in in the next few days,” said the minister. “The announced escalation is critical in the current situation, both in view of the energy crisis and the geopolitical situation we are in with a war in Europe.” Norway must do everything it can to help maintain Europe’s energy security and European cohesion against Russia’s warfare, it said.
After failed wage negotiations, 74 employees on three Norwegian oil and gas platforms went on strike. The energy company Equinor stopped production at the Gudrun, Oseberg Sør and Oseberg Øst fields as a result of the strike. Another 117 employees wanted to stop work on Wednesday. A renewed extension of the strike was planned for Saturday. “With the announced strike starting July 9, more than half of Norway’s daily gas exports would be lost,” the government said.
“In principle, the parties themselves are responsible for finding a solution in such cases,” said Minister Marte Mjøs Persen. “But if the conflict can have such major social consequences for all of Europe, I have no choice but to intervene in the conflict.”