Norway Averts Strike as Unions Clinch Wage Deal With Employers

Norway’s largest trade unions reached a wage deal with employers for private-sector workers, preventing a strike in western Europe’s top energy exporter.

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, or LO, and Parat agreed with the employer organization NHO on a pay increase of 4.4% for this year and a program for the advance payment of sick pay, NHO said on Sunday. The agreement covers about 250,000 workers across various fields. The wage gain compares with Norges Bank’s forecast for an annual rise of 4.5% in 2026, which would be the slowest in four years.