News

Norwegian workers braved howling wind and rain to take to the streets during a successful national strike this week.

Hundreds of thousands of workers walked off the job in protest of the government’s proposed changes to the Working Environment Act. More than 20,000 marched on the Parliament in Oslo whilst further events were held in over 200 towns and cities across the country.

The strike was deemed a success by Norwegian unions who received public commitments from most parties on the left and centre that they will reverse any changes to the law as soon as a parliamentary majority is restored. The opposition Labour Party is currently surging ahead in national opinion polls ahead of elections in 2017.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “The winds of change are blowing through Europe once again.

“From Greece in the South to Norway in the North, the people are taking a stand against austerity and the wilful destruction of laws and institutions designed to protect working people.

“The Nordic model is worth fighting for and so are the workers of Europe. We must not let arrogant political overreach undermine a just and fair society.”

The strike brought normal life grinding to a halt in the Scandinavian country and affected everything from schools and childcare services to public transport and air travel. It has received broad-based support in Norwegian society including in the Lutheran church where pastors will join industrial action for the first time in history.