Norway

Strike continues but new arbitration

on Saturday

The strike by 2500 security guards is increasingly affecting daily life for Norwegians and for tourists as well. On Thursday visitors found the Munch Museum closed, due to a shortage of security personnel.

Altogether 12 Norwegian airports are now affected by the strike, and several are closed. Passengers are transported by bus to the nearest operative airport.

Oslo Airport Gardermoen has up to now been able to operate at normal capacity, but travellers are asked to meet early at the check-in, to beat the long line-ups.

The transport by helicopter from Bergen of workers to and from oil installations on the Norwegian Shelf was stopped Friday morning due to the strike. This accounts for 70 per cent of all transport of personnel to the platforms, according to NRK.

However, there is a slight hope that the strike may soon be over, after the National Arbitrator has asked the two sides to meet for arbitration on Saturday at 10 am. This was the result of a three-hour informal meeting Thursday morning.

If an agreement is not reached on Saturday, the unions have announced thaat the strike will be further extended Monday morning, with another 800 members called out.

Source: NRK/Aftenposten/Norway Post