The Norwegian fish farming sector may face its first strike in history

“Organizing a strike that has serious consequences is not a problem for us,” says a trade union negotiator

A union representing more than 3,000 aquaculture workers has warned that its members could go on strike for the first time in history if no agreement can be reached on pay and working conditions.

Negotiations between Seafood Norway, which represents some but not all salmon companies, and Fellesforbundet, Norway’s largest private sector union with 170,000 members, broke down last week and the parties have now moved to arbitration.

Fellesforbundet has 3,023 members in the sector, but this is only the potential maximum number that could be dismissed as a result of a strike. Fewer people would attack in the first place.

The pay structure is too dependent and controlled by bonus systems. You can’t go to the bank with the promise of a bonus that you really have no control over.

Trade union negotiator Christian Justnes

Negotiations on an aquaculture agreement involve all actors in the value chain up to the moment the fish leave the cage, e.g. fish farmers, marine facility and hatchery workers.

A few demands

Seafood Norway says it does not comment on points of disagreement between the parties, but union negotiator Christian Justnes told Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian sister site Kyst.no what its members want.

“We have some demands. Some of them are related to fire brigade regulations. For members to have greater predictability in their time off and compensation for on-duty time in the event of an emergency. We also raise certain requirements regarding working conditions. We want to end working alone and demand that at least two people work at work, including: for occupational health and safety reasons,” he says.

“In addition, there are financial requirements and this is where the greatest distance between the parties to the negotiations occurs.”

Certainty, not bonuses

The Common Union demands a 5.2% salary increase, in addition to provisions related to the salary structure.

“We see that their pay structure is far too dependent and controlled by bonus systems. You can’t go to the bank with the promise of a bonus that you really have no control over. We want safe and good remuneration for our members, and this is one of the most profitable industries in Norway, so they can afford to be paid appropriately,” emphasizes Justnes.

When asked what consequences a potential strike would have on the industry, Seafood Norway replied that its goal was to reach an agreement so that no strike would occur.

“Organizing a strike that will have serious consequences is not a problem for us. It’s not something we want, but it’s clear that if we have to, we have to and it will be felt,” Justnes concludes.