Partial agreement in the security strike – E24

Parat and NHO have agreed on a new agreement, but the Norwegian Workers’ Union still has around 2,000 guards on strike.

Published:Updated: November 2, 2020 9:24 PM, Published: November 2, 2020 8:43 PM

Correction: E24 first announced that the guard strike is over. It is not correct. The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions has not reached an agreement with NHO and still has 2,000 guards on strike. The error was corrected at 21.02.

On Monday, an agreement was entered into between Parat and NHO in the security guard strike, which has lasted around a month and a half.

Parat’s chief negotiator, Lars Petter Larsen, says the guards have had their demands met.

– The salary supplements mean that the security guard’s salary is stepped up this year and next year. In addition to the impact of the demands for increased supplements in this settlement, we have received acceptance that the wage level in the industry will be raised further. We also agree that the parties by the end of January each year will negotiate an escalation of wage rates, says Larsen.

– Relieved

A new agreement gives the guards a general supplement of NOK 4.50 per hour. In addition, the requirement for increased supplements for night and weekend by NOK 2 per. hour fulfilled.

NHO Service og Handel reports that 420 Ready Guards in Securitas and Avarn Security will return to work from Tuesday morning.

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (NAF) still has about 2,000 guards on strike, according to the report from NHO.

– It was a costly settlement, but we are relieved that the conflict with Parat is over, says Anne-Cecilie Kaltenborn, head of NHO Service and Trade.

E24 has been in contact with Stina Bergsten, communications adviser in the Norwegian Trade Union Confederation, who confirms that the security guard strike will continue.

In a statement, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions writes that they register that Parat has agreed with NHO on a new agreement for security guards.

Can be stepped up

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions has not been part of these negotiations and will continue the strike, according to the report.

– As the Norwegian Workers’ Union has not been invited to such negotiations, it has not been possible for the union to take a position on any bargaining solutions, says union leader Anita Johansen.

Johansen elaborates on the phone with E24 that they have not been in negotiations yet and that they have not been involved in the negotiation process.

– Before the strike is over, we must review the agreement that has been established between NHO and Parat. We hope to set aside time tomorrow to review the agreement. Until further notice, the strike continues. We have just over 2,000 guards on strike, and if we do not agree with the agreement between Parat and NHO, it is natural that the strike is escalated, says Johansen.

One and a half months of strike

On 16 September, 803 guards were taken out on strike after a breach of mediation. The strike has since been escalated several times, and on Monday a total of 2,390 guards were on strike.

In addition to pure monetary demands, the parties have disagreed on involuntary part-time work, fixed pay versus hourly pay and the conditions for apprentices.

The strike has, among other things, affected ticket controls, shopping centers, receptions and mobile and area guards all over the country, but above all in Eastern Norway. The work stoppage led, among other things, to the Oslo bus terminal having to close at 8 pm in the evening.