“This industrial action could have been avoided. Nevertheless, we are now on strike, and I promise you that we are going to strike a long time if the State does not contribute more money. We then face a long, drawn-out conflict,” he said to VG.

Almost 50,000 workers are now part of the tri-union – Union Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS) and LO – walkout, a doubling of last week’s strike numbers. 

The Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (Akademikerne) is still negotiating with the state and municipality of Oslo, but is taking pause regarding the other council districts.

Talks with Oslo municipality, which has its own agreements, broke down today after employers offered less than four percent. 

Unio negotiations leader Terje Vilno told NRK, the offer was insufficient, “Which made the conclusion easy.”
In this first phase, Unio and YS have called 635 members together.

Personnel who begin before 12:00 will continue in their jobs until the end of the working day, whilst those who start work after 12:00 will not be arriving at their place of employment.

In keeping with the rest of the country, the walkout affects all types of kindergartens, schools, nursing homes, and various other services.

The wide national strike, which includes government ministries, the police, universities, colleges, and jails, has also hit rubbish collection in some municipalities.Driving tests, weather forecasts, tax offices, traffic wardens, passport issues, and exams are also affected.

Most of the country’s boat-based pilots are also on strike, hitting the cruise and container industry. VG reports Statoil is now considering fuel rationing at petrol stations because of the move, which could also force planes to land at alternative airports.

The oil giant has already expressed concern about activities at its Kårstø gas processing plant and Mongstad’s crude oil terminal, which are dependent on tanker traffic.

Press spokesperson Morten Eek told Stavanger Aftenblad recently, “We’re now working on examining the consequences. It is natural for us to apply for exemptions from the strike to minimise the economic harm done to us.”

“There are clear limits on storage capacity at the terminals,” he said regarding Monstad, “It will be a big challenge for us if all ship traffic stops. At worst, it can lead to production stoppages.”

He informed The Foreigner, Wednesday, “we are still awaiting an answer to the dispensation we applied for yesterday and are expecting to hear from union officials during today.”

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