Update from Norwegian Locomotive drivers

Message from our Norwegian colleagues from the NLF locomotive drivers’ union:

Update on the Norwegian Locomotive drivers strike

The strike has now been going on for 4 weeks.  124 locomotive drivers are on strike at present, mainly affecting commuter trains in the Oslo area, but also long distance trains on the western line to Bergen and southern line to Stavanger.

This week there has been mediation between the union (NLF)  and the Norwegian State Railways, but without results. During the mediation NLF proposed that the parties should sign a special agreement , stating that the parties agree to maintain the present training level until the authorities had defined a common national training standard. This was strongly refused by the employers. The employers offer was to maintain the current training level until 15^th June 2017, but not any longer.

The reason for the specific date is among other things the ongoing competitive tendering process. The employers want to have the possibility to lower the costs for training. The employers have already set up a training program for category B drivers in the freight sector of 4 months. This program has, however, been rejected by the National Safety Authority. The current program is 2 years.

The situation for the Norwegian State Railways is quite desperate. As a preparation for competitive tendering, the company has been stripped of almost all its assets, like rolling stock, workshops, real estate and ticket sales. This will be offered to the winners of the tendering processes.

This means that the working conditions, pension and training for locomotive drivers and onboard staff  are the main factors that the companies will compete on.

So far the support from the public is good. Some right wing politicians have, however, demanded that the government should use compolsory arbitration to ban the strike, also demanding that ILO conventions should be set aside. So far the government says that this will not be done.

The union is preparing for a prolonged strike.

Thank you for your continued support !!!

In solidarity

Rolf Ringdal                       Oystein Aslaksen

Chairman NLF                   International secretary NLF