Norwegian Offshore Strike Begins as Safe Union Members Walk Out

A strike involving 154 members of the Safe union has commenced on the Norwegian continental shelf after mediation efforts broke down. The union stated that its members, working under the well service agreement, are falling behind economically and in terms of working conditions and rights.

"We cannot accept the development and had clear expectations before this year's settlement that the trend must be reversed. We are falling behind economically, as well as on working conditions and rights," said Safe area leader Martin Skogland in a press release.

The strike affects members from companies including SLB, DOF Subsea, Halliburton, Weatherford, Tios, and DeepOcean. A potential second withdrawal of labor, involving 224 members from Cactus, Vetco Gray Scandinavia, and Baker Hughes, could begin Thursday.

In contrast, the Styrke union reached a mediation agreement, securing a pay increase of 47,000 kroner for its members. "It has been a tough mediation, but we have achieved a good result. We have secured the members on the shelf a solid pay raise – and taken an important step to close the gap with other agreements," said union leader Frode Alfheim.