News

Early this morning an agreement was reached in the national collective bargaining round of 2008. The agreement covers the whole of Norwegian private sector which has collective agreements with the main employer organisation NHO. The agreement will also have a major impact on all agreements to be negotiated with other employers and government later this spring.



The most controversial question, namely early retirement, were solved after also involving the Norwegian government, which is already a part of our retirement scheme. The solution is that government accepts that adjustment according to the general increase in living age is compensated by government for all born before 1954 and partly for all born before 1963. For those born later a new evaluation will be done in 2017. In addition everybody will have the opportunity to work and earn money after this early retirement without loosing retirement benefits. This was not the case with the old system. LO and Fellesforbundet therefore claim total victory in this crucial matter and all workers in companies with a collective agreement will still be able to retire with a good compensation from the age of 62.



Wages which was the other major issue will increase by NOK 2 from 1 April 2008. A special increase of NOK 3 for all agreements below 90% of average is an acceptable low wage increment. Especially women will benefit from this low wage increment. The total value of the agreement is calculated to be 5.6%. Both the employers and workers delegations unanimously accepted the agreement which will be balloted 22 April. The deadline is 24 April.



Fellesforbundet president Arve Bakke says he is very pleased with the totality of the agreement. We will have a good wage increase for the low paid members and the early retirement scheme will secure retirement with today’s level of compensation which was our main demand says Bakke.