Norway ends one offshore wage row only for Reach Subsea strike to begin

Norway’s protracted offshore well services wage dispute has been settled through voluntary arbitration, even as a separate labour conflict has triggered a strike at subsea contractor Reach Subsea.

An arbitration panel has ruled that wage and other provisions previously agreed under the Oil Services Agreement between employers’ organisation Offshore Norge and trade union Styrke will also apply to the Well Services Agreement between Offshore Norge and SAFE.

The decision ends a dispute that sparked a month-long strike and lockout over the summer before the parties agreed on July 14 to refer the matter to arbitration.

The ruling covers changes to wage rates and union funds, with the new terms taking effect retrospectively from July 14 and remaining in force until May 31, 2028.

SAFE expressed disappointment that the panel rejected its demand to maintain a separate agreement for members employed by SLB. However, the union welcomed the decision to backdate wage adjustments and other payments rather than apply them only from the date of the ruling.

Despite the settlement, industrial unrest continues elsewhere in Norway’s offshore services sector.

Reach Subsea confirmed that mediation with SAFE ended at midnight on October 16 without an agreement, prompting six offshore employees covered by the SAFE Offshore Collective Agreement to walk out on strike.

The Haugesund-based company said it was assessing the operational and financial implications of the industrial action while staying focused on maintaining safe, efficient operations across its projects.

Reach added that it remained committed to constructive dialogue with SAFE and finding a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible.

Norway’s national mediator confirmed that the parties remained too far apart for a settlement proposal likely to be accepted by both sides.

The developments follow another wage settlement reached on Friday, when SAFE and Delta struck a deal with Offshore Norge and Norsk Industri over the separate Oil Agreement.

That agreement, reached after mediation ran approximately two hours beyond the deadline, averted a threatened strike and lockout.

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