Norway averts TV and food supply strikes with last-minute wage deals

Norway averted two major strikes on Tuesday after last-minute agreements in separate labor disputes, preventing disruptions to television production and the food supply chain.

In the first case, Virke and Filmforbundet reached a deal in this year’s wage negotiations for the TV entertainment sector, avoiding a strike that would have halted productions including *Skal vi danse*, *Farmen kjendis*, *71 grader nord kjendis*, *Fra bølle til bestevenn*, and *Kokkeskolen*. The agreement came after five hours of overtime mediation at the national mediator’s office late Monday night. “We are glad to have reached a solution and to avoid a conflict that would have had consequences for production companies and employees across the country,” said Trond Teisberg, Virke’s chief negotiator. Filmforbundet leader Elisabeth O. Sjaastad said the deal ensures TV workers receive pay that better reflects the uncertainty of project-based employment. The result will now go to a membership ballot .

In a separate settlement, Norsk Nærings- og Nytelsesmiddelarbeiderforbund and NHO Mat og Drikke agreed on terms for mill and feed blending workers, averting a strike that could have led to shortages of flour, bread, and animal feed. The deal, struck at midnight, includes a 4.4% economic framework, a general hourly wage increase of 6.50 kroner, and a new minimum wage of 236.09 kroner per hour. Fagbrevtillegget, a skilled labor supplement, will rise by 3 kroner per hour. The parties also agreed on advance payments for sick leave, care leave, and parental leave. “When a wage settlement goes to mediation, it is always because there is disagreement on difficult issues. We are therefore pleased to have found a solution and avoided a strike,” said Petter Haas Brubakk, managing director of NHO Mat og Drikke .

Sjaastad noted that while the TV industry agreement addresses some concerns, challenges remain in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector. “There is still much work to be done to secure a sustainable TV and film industry. But this agreement is an important step forward,” she said .