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Text: Liv Hilde Hansen/YS
YS demands real wage growth through a combination of central supplements, improvements in minimum wage rates, and guarantee schemes that promote equal pay and counteract low wages.
– This year's wage settlement must ensure good and fair wage development. It is crucial to find a good balance between central and local supplements, says Skjæggerud.
He believes it is necessary to maintain motivation and fairness in the workforce and that it will contribute to competitiveness and growth in companies.
The industry has had very profitable years behind it.
There has been relatively weak growth in overall production over the past couple of years. This will likely pick up, partly due to good real wage growth last year and upcoming interest rate cuts, according to the YS leader.
– The industry has had very profitable years. At the same time, we should note that the share of wages to employees has decreased significantly in recent years, while managers in the private sector have had higher wage growth than everyone else both in 2024 and over time, he points out.
– A low wage share, which we have now, while the highest paid are falling behind, is unfortunate. The trend must be reversed, declares Skjæggerud.
Wage settlement with great unrest, but the YS leader also sees possible benefits
The YS leader points out that this year's wage settlement is taking place at a time characterized by great international unrest.
– A trade war between the US, China and the EU could obviously create challenges, with price increases and higher interest rates here at home. It is not impossible that a trade war could also create more opportunities for Norway, if we were to remain a little on the outside of these conflicts, says Skjæggerud.
He points to these potential benefits:
- Increased exports to new markets: If the US, China and Europe introduce tariff barriers against each other, Norwegian companies may find new export opportunities in these markets.
- Lower prices for foreign goods, since they can be sold duty-free in Norway, unlike in the US and EU. This can, among other things, result in lower costs of goods in industry.
The negotiation deadline is set for Tuesday, March 18.
Negotiations between YS and NHO continue until Tuesday, March 18.
If the parties do not agree, the settlement will go to mediation, with a deadline to reach an agreement by April 1, midnight. If there is also no agreement in mediation, there is a risk of a strike from April 2.
YS negotiates on behalf of a broad group of workers, such as employees in the hotel and restaurant industry, cleaners, oil workers, bus drivers, and various white-collar workers. In total, YS negotiates on behalf of just over 32,000 employees.
