Norway

Nationwide strike ended

The two-week long nationwide strike by more than 45,000 municipal employees is over, after the two sides early Tuesday afternoon accepted a proposal by National Arbitrator Dag Nafstad.

This means that the most extensive strike in Norway for more than 30 years has ended, and it is expected that all schools and day-care centers which were closed by the strrike will re-open by Wednesday morning.

In many municipalities the administration, technical services, libraries, home care and nursing homes have also been affected, and these services will also return to normal as soon as possible, but some not until Thursday.

According to first reports, the total framework for the new wage agreement is an average 3.5 per cent increase. Seniority and equal pay have also been on the agenda, NRK reports.

By Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)