OSLO (AFP) - More than 20,000 Norwegian construction workers went on strike Tuesday after collective agreement negotiations with employers broke down over wages, their union said.

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"As of this morning the Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions is on strike in the construction sector. It was not possible to come to an agreement with the employers organisation BNL," the union said in a statement.

"21,000 workers are involved and many major construction sites will be idle during the strike. The main issue was the minimum wages on the construction sector," the statement added.

BNL chief Ketil Lyng told AFP he was "surprised and disappointed by the breakdown in negotiations," and that he feared the conflict could affect Norway's export industry if it lasted a long time.

The Norwegian unions for workers in hotels, retaurants and the transport sector reached agreements with employers Tuesday, averting further strikes.

Last Updated (Wednesday, 14 April 2010 09:02)

 
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