The wage disputes in Norway's oil services industry have been resolved through an arbitration panel. This decision comes despite the start of a new strike at the underwater contractor Reach Subsea.
Arbitration Outcome in Well Services Contract
The arbitration panel ruled that the wage conditions and other previously agreed terms under the oil services contract between the Offshore Norge employers' organization and the Styrke trade union must also apply to the well services contract between Offshore Norge and SAFE. This decision ended a dispute that led to a strike and lockout in the summer, with the parties agreeing on July 14 to refer the matter to arbitration.
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The arbitration ruling includes changes to wage rates and union dues, with the new terms retroactively effective from July 14 and valid until May 31, 2028. The SAFE union expressed disappointment that the panel rejected their request to maintain a separate agreement for members working at SLB. However, the union welcomed the decision to revert to the wage settings and other payments.
Strike at Reach Subsea
Despite this agreement, industrial unrest continues in other sectors of Norway's oil services. Reach Subsea confirmed that negotiations with SAFE ended without agreement at midnight on October 16, leading to a strike by six offshore employees covered by the SAFE collective agreement.
The Haugesund-based company has stated that it is assessing the operational and financial implications of this industrial action while focusing on maintaining safe and efficient operations in its projects. Reach has also emphasized its commitment to constructive dialogue with SAFE and finding an acceptable solution for both parties as soon as possible.
The Norwegian national mediator has confirmed that the parties still have a long way to go to reach an agreement, and there are no proposals that are likely to be acceptable to both sides.
These developments follow another wage agreement signed on Friday. In this agreement, SAFE and Delta reached a separate agreement with Offshore Norge and Norsk Industri that prevented the threatened strike and lockout.
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