Salary settlement at the municipal level
Tekna works toward the goal of Norway having the world’s best public sector; to achieve this, we need highly competent employees at the municipal level.
The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
Municipalities, county councils and municipally owned enterprises are part of the so-called KS area.
Central negotiations take place between KS and the main confederations where Tekna is represented through its main organization, The Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations - Municipal (Akademikerne kommune). The agreement and economic framework for the settlement for members that is located in chapter 4 (primarily for teachers) is centrally negotiated. Sometimes a local «pot of money» is negotiated that is subsequently divided locally among the organizations. The annual negotiation deadline is 1 May.
Tekna is represented in the municipal sector negotiations by Akademikerne. The committee in Akademikerne Kommune can ratify both settlement acceptance and a strike. Tekna can also ratify a strike; in other words, each association can choose to strike on their own.
Every second year, the parties in collective bargaining agreements have a so-called main settlement and interim settlement. In main settlements, the entire agreement is open for negotiation and revision – in addition to wages. It is at this time that the collective bargaining area is reviewed. In contrast, only wages are negotiated in interim settlements. In connection with negotiating collective bargaining agreements, employees have the possibility of going on strike.
Before each salary settlement, the negotiating committees prepare for a possible strike. There are separate, centrally-based conflict preparedness committees that make preparations and emergency plans for the negotiating committees. They work all year long, making proposals about which workers should go out on strike long before settlements are reached. The negotiating committee makes the final decision about which members will go out on strike.
At each place where strikes are to take place, a local conflict preparedness committee is established. This committee helps ensure that the list of names for their organization is correct. If a strike is called, this committee becomes a strike committee that organizes all practical details affecting a strike in their organization.
Get the highest possible salary growth
Tekna’s chief negotiators are clear on one thing: Salary levels should be negotiated locally and collectively in order to ensure effective negotiations and the highest possible salary growth
