Norway

Nationwide strike hits schools

and hospitals

A nationwide strike by 17,000 municipal employees began Friday morning, after arbitration in the conflict broke down Thursday, several hours on overtime. The strike will close down schools and day-care centers, as well as some hospital services.

More workers may be called out on strike in a few days, NRK reports.

However, fear for the lives of patients at hospitals and nursing homes may force the Government to call for the use of a state salary commission, according to public broadcaster NRK.

To prevent this, the unions promise that they will chose carefully when selecting those who will next be called out on strike.