Airport strike risk remains as mediation runs overtime

Talks between HK Norge, Parat and NHO Luftfart were continuing into overtime early Thursday, with a strike still possible at eight Norwegian airports, NRK reports.

The deadline passed at midnight, but the parties had not reached an agreement, Parat confirmed to NTB. The National Mediator’s website also said that Handel og Kontor was continuing its mediation beyond the deadline.

About 1,800 employees are covered by the aviation agreements involved. The first strike action would include around 287 members, comprising approximately 186 HK Norge members and 101 Parat members.

The initial strike notices cover employees at airports in Tromsø, Gardermoen, Florø, Hovden, Mo i Rana, Sandefjord, Bergen and Bodø. The affected companies include Aviator Airport Alliance, Menzies Aviation and Widerøe Ground Handling.

The workers include staff responsible for gates, customer service, boarding, check-in and administration. Parat said a strike could also affect baggage handling, catering, cleaning and aircraft refuelling.

Passengers could face cancelled or reduced flights, depending on which airlines are handled by the affected companies at each airport. Christopher Beckham, head of HK Norge, said the union was seeking improved wage growth after what it considered insufficient increases in recent years.

Erik Lahnstein, managing director of NHO Luftfart, said the negotiations would be difficult but that the organisation hoped and expected the parties to reach an agreement and avoid a strike.

If a strike begins, HK Norge and Parat will assess how quickly to expand the action. Beckham said a rapid escalation was likely if the conflict went ahead.