– Should sniff at the 6s.

- Our members are worth a lot, and this must be reflected in the salary figures. We have less than 1 percent unemployment among our members and the market is crying out for engineers and technologists," says Aarbakke.

Good prospects for 2024

Over the past two days, NITO's management has prepared the demands ahead of the association's collective bargaining conference, and the feedback from the union representatives is clear.

"The cost of living has eaten up much of the wage growth we have seen in recent years, so there is no doubt that real wage growth is a minimum. The clear feedback is that we should sniff out the 6s," says Aarbakke.

"Many of the companies our members work in are doing very well and have good prospects for 2024. Our members will also be able to take part in this," says Aarbakke.

Ready for negotiations

"Of course, we are waiting in anticipation for the frontline trade, but we cannot accept being locked in by this sum. You have to look at the whole picture and ensure good local negotiations that also take the companies into account. 

"It's no secret that it pays to change jobs, but we hope companies also see that loyalty pays off and benefits the company. We hope that a number of employers will take this with them into this year's negotiations," Aarbakke concludes.