Potential strike for Norway's aquaculture sector, after first round of negotiations fail

Norway's aquaculture workers are on the brink of strike action after negotiations over salaries and conditions broke down between Fellesforbundet (Norway's United Federation of Trade Unions) and industry representatives Sjømat Norge (Seafood Norway).

The negotiations on the aquaculture agreement began on Wednesday 22 May, but broke down after two days, with the negotiating parties now set to enter a remediation process on 13-14 June.

"There has been disagreement on several central and principled questions. To a large extent, these are linked to the degree of local negotiations and local flexibility. There is disagreement about financial issues and several key demands have not yet been met. Sjømat Norge hopes that a solution can be reached when the negotiations go to mediation," Sjømat Norge said in a press release.

"Both Sjømat Norge and Fellesforbundet are determined to find a solution to the matter and avoid conflict," the seafood trade organisation added.

The aquaculture agreement, which covers over 3,000 union members, pertains to employees in aquaculture, including fish and shellfish farming, freezer facilities, and marine and land plants.

The primary union demand is better pay. "We in the negotiating delegation have received a clear message from our members that they expect a solid salary increase. Therefore, increased purchasing power is our main demand in the negotiations with Sjømat Norge," said lead union negotiator Christian Justnes in a press release.

"In addition, we set requirements regarding working time regulations and shift arrangements, which we believe will help to improve the everyday life of the employees," he added.

Additionally, the union is calling for a comprehensive continuing education reform, aligned with the frontline negotiations' outcomes, to ensure employees can keep up with industry developments.

"In line with the fact that the aquaculture industry is undergoing restructuring, it is important and necessary that the employees are given real opportunities to carry out skills development. We hope to establish a good and long-term collaboration with the employers to assess the industry's need for this," Justnes said.

If no deal is reached during the mediation in June, strike action is likely to take place a few days later.

Sjømat Norge has published some advice and resources on its website for potentially affected aquaculture companies in preparation for the potential strike action, noting that exemptions to the industrial action can only be made in special cases.

"For those companies that are taken out on strike... there is an opportunity to apply for an exemption from the strike. We remind you that the threshold for granting a dispensation is high, there must be a danger to life and health and/or significant material damage to machinery or raw materials," Sjømat Norge states.

Meanwhile, the fishmeal and fish feed sector in Norway has had more success, having reached a framework wage agreement after a round of negotiations on 28 and 29 May between Sjømat Norge and the union Industri Energi & Federation of Management and Technology (IE&FLT).

The negotiations covered around 700 IE&FLT members in well-known companies such as BioMar, Skretting, Pelagia, MOWI Feed, and EWOS.