Railway negotiations in Norway break down; strike possible after summer

Negotiations between railway companies Vy and CargoNet and their employees have reached an impasse, pushing the dispute to state mediator Riksmekleren for mediation. This breakdown raises the possibility of a railway strike occurring after the summer break.

The core of the disagreement lies in the employers' demands for changes to shift and shift work schedules. Trond Ellefsen, leader of Delta and YS Spekter, stated that the proposed alterations to working hours, shift supplements, and scheduling would result in worse working conditions for conductors and train drivers at Vy. "This we cannot accept, and therefore it broke down," Ellefsen said in a press release.

The negotiations involve members of the Norwegian Railway Union and the Norwegian Train Drivers' Union (NLF) within Vy and CargoNet. These companies fall under Spekter's area 7, which encompasses Norwegian railway companies. While a date for the mediation has not yet been set, it is expected to take place after the summer holidays, according to the LO press release. A strike, if it materializes, would therefore also commence after the summer vacation period.

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The employer wanted changes in the shift and turnus arrangements that would have given the conductors and train drivers in Vy worse working conditions than today. We cannot accept that, and therefore it broke down.