Norwegian offshore workers threaten strike over pay

ALMOST 8% of Norway’s offshore oil and gas workers could take strike action after pay talks between unions and energy companies broke down last week.

Negotiations centred on wage increases and a framework for an annual pay growth of 4.4% for offshore workers, alongside additional pay rises during the year.

Unions Styrke, the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers (Safe) and the Norwegian Organisation of Managers and Executives (Lederne) met energy companies, including Equinor, in April and May but failed to reach an agreement.

The three unions represent around 8,000 offshore employees working in oil, drilling and catering.

Pay dispute

Styrke has announced an initial strike involving 305 offshore workers on top of industrial action across the sector, confirming it can escalate a strike with four days’ notice.

A spokesperson for the union said that it may pursue this option as “the gap in the wage negotiations was too large”.

Supply-chain disruption

Norway is the largest supplier of natural gas in Europe and the fourth largest exporter in the world. Crude oil and natural gas accounted for 57% of the total value of the country’s good exports in 2025.

Disruption in the company's oil and gas operations could further hike up energy prices already elevated by conflict in the Middle East.

Styrke said another round of mediation talks will take place this week in a final bid to avert strike action.