Union Parat announces the strikes are to take place from 06:00 if no agreement is reached by tonight’s midnight mediation deadline with employer NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise). 

The first phase, involving 250 G4S personnel, will hit passengers travelling from tomorrow and throughout the weekend. In an escalation, 85 more will stage industrial action from Monday. 

“There is a considerable willingness amongst our members to go on strike”, deputy Parat leader Vegard Einan tells NRK. “We have long demanded that our members who work with airport security be paid more for all the courses and certifications they go through in order to ensure safety at airports.”

Airport security guards last struck in 2010, affecting many of Norway's airports.

Parat also plans to call 50 members out on strike at Rygge airport, with industrial action also affecting passengers at Stavanger Sola, Bergen Flesland, Værnes Trondheim, and Tromsø Langnes. 

“In addition, we require our members be given more than seven days notice before they have their duties changed so security personnel they can plan their time better. We also want more people to have full-time jobs and permanent positions,” says Vegard Einan.

The stoppages will not affect emergency air traffic, but Mr Einan warns no strike dispensations will be issued for civilian flights. 

He adds that Parat regrets “that passengers and airlines will be affected but the distance between both parties, especially regarding the financial aspect.”

Moreover, Norwegian Union of General Workers (Norsk Arbeidsmandsforbund) officials warn that industrial action will involve 150 of their members at Gardermoen.

It is believed the walkout at will close 14 of the airport’s 16 security machines and checks. Head of information Jo Kobro believes Gardermoen will only be operating at 10 to 15 percent capacity. 

“We working with the airlines and will try to have as many departures as we can, but many aircraft will not even make it into the air,” he declares.

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