Trade union freedom
Norway has ratified several Conventions protecting the right to organize and the right to strike. The most important ones are the ILO Conventions, especially No. 87 concerning freedom of association and No. 98 on implementing principles for the right to organise and the right to collective bargaining, and the European Social Charter.

The right to strike is a constitutional right in Norway, and there is no permanent legislation restricting this right (except for military forces and senior civil servants). The right to carry out a lockout is in Norway equal to the right to strike. The social partners are responsible for the wage settlements and the industrial peace. Consequently, society and third parties have to endure the inconveniences caused by a labour conflict. Interference in a labour conflict will only be considered if the conflict has consequences for life or health, or has other seriously damaging effects on society.
The subscription to trade unions is deductible.

Collective agreements
The unions are consulted by the State before it adopts reforms that affect the working practices of artists.
Structures exist for negotiating collective agreements for employed artists. Negotiations between the employers and the trade unions take place normally every year.

Mediation
The mediation is the most common method of dispute settlement.
The social partners are responsible for the wage settlements.
A public body named “Riksmeglingsmannen” is specifically concerned with mediation. The main goal of this office is to help the social parties to avoid conflict.
The National Wages Board Act (Act n° 7 of 19 December 1952 relating to wage committees in labour disputes) is in principle intended for voluntary arbitration. The parties may refer to the National Wages Board a dispute on wages and labour conditions which is not covered by a collective agreement. The Board’s decision has the same effect as a collective agreement.
However, the National Wages Board has mostly been used for compulsory arbitration. To refer a dispute to compulsory arbitration, it is decided in each individual case by a separate act by the Storting, or by the Government by Provisional Ordinance if the Storting is not in session. In an act on compulsory arbitration in a labour conflict the dispute is referred for settlement by the National Wages Board.
“Riksmeglingsmannen” is a public body. The members of the National Wages Board are appointed by the Government and the social parties.


Source: Ministry of Culture and Church, 2008.