Almost 25,000 Norwegian industry workers go on strike

The strike will impact industries like construction, breweries and ferry operators, as well as Aker Solutions (AKSOA.OL), Norsk Hydro (NHY.OL),, and Carlsberg Group (CARLb.CO), Ringnes.

The unions have said that the strike has not affected Norway's oil production and gas production.

Unions say that if an agreement cannot be reached by April 21, another 16,000 workers will strike. The industrial action may eventually involve around 200,000 employees.

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions is negotiating for 185,000 members. Meanwhile, the smaller Confederation of Vocational Unions represents another 16,000 people in the negotiations.

After two years in which consumer prices have risen faster than nominal salaries, the unions demand an increase in real wage this year. They cite healthy profits in Norwegian industry.

According to a forecast by a commission of unionists, employers' associations and Statistics Norway, the Norwegian headline inflation rate is expected to be 4.9% over the course of the year.

The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises (NHO), which represents employers, has sought to restrain wage increases, saying that they should not rise so high that inflation could spiral out of control.

In a statement, Peggy Hessen Foelsvik, the LO union's boss said that "the NHO chose not to accept our demands and triggered a strike".

YS warned that a possible strike would affect the operations of car dealers, big hotels and some offshore installations in the capital. However, it will not affect oil or gas production and refining.

Ole Erik Almlid, the NHO's Chief Executive Officer, said that "the NHO has acted with responsibility but our opponents will not compromise."

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