Norway Oil Drilling Unions Seek Mediation to Avoid Strike

Two unions have said that wage negotiations involving 7,000 oil drilling employees in Norway failed early on Wednesday. This could lead to strike action later in the year, which would disrupt exploration.

The unions have announced that the talks between the Norwegian Shipowners' Association and the Safe and Styrke unions will be resumed at a future date, under the direction of a mediator appointed by the state.

Norway's highly regulated system of collective bargaining allows workers to strike only if mediation fails.

Styrke stated in a press release that "we failed to reach an agreement and we will proceed with the mediation."

The NSA represented the NSA and other companies in the talks, including Transocean Drilling, Odfjell Drilling and Archer.

The NSA didn't immediately respond to a comment request.

Strikes of drilling workers can delay projects for expansion and new fields, but they have a minimal impact on the daily production of oil and gas.

A group of Norwegian oil production workers who are directly employed by Equinor, Aker BP and other companies reached a wage deal earlier this month. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens, Terje Solsvik)

(source: Reuters)