Trade unions
Trade unions
Both employees and employers in Norway have their own organisations that seek to safeguard their rights and their opportunities for cooperating on important agreements. Approx. 50 per cent of employees in Norway are members of a trade union/labour organisation.
The most important task of a trade union is to negotiate pay and other rights with employers. These rights could be working hours, holidays and the right to on-the-job training. When negotiations conclude, agreements are written that employers and employees are obliged to comply with. If the parties fail to reach agreement, the employees are entitled to go on strike.
Employers and employees must cooperate on the different agreements to create a good workplace environment. Therefore, Norwegian working life facilitates employee participation and democracy in the workplace. Individual employees have the right to be heard and to participate in organising their own work situation. Through their trade unions, employees take part in discussions and receive information about the enterprise.
All employers have an obligation to safeguard health, safety and the environment (HSE) in the workplace. Such HSE work must be organised and followed up by both an employee representative, a safety representative and a representative of the management.
Talk together
- Are trade unions important in your home country?
- Discuss the right to strike and the situations in which it may be used.
- Why do you think many people join a trade union?
- Why do you think almost half of employees decide not to join a trade union?
Select the right answer
What percentage of workers in Norway are members of a trade union/trade organisation?
Select the right answer
What is the most important task of a trade union?
Select the right answer
What can employees do if employers and employees fail to reach agreement?
Select right or wrong
Read the statements. What is right? What is wrong?
Select right or wrong
Read the statements. What is right? What is wrong?