Chose NITO and went up NOK 220,000 in salary in total

"The membership fee is the best investment I've made for as long as I can remember," says Geir Olav Bye. He and his colleague Tore Solberg have received a substantial salary increase after organizing in NITO.

"That organizing should have such a big impact on the salary was not in my mind," says Bye.

He increased his salary by NOK 120,000 shortly after he joined NITO.

Also on the team was his colleague Tore Solberg, who received a surcharge of around NOK 100,000 on his annual salary.

"I have worked at the hospital in Vestfold for almost ten years. I had never thought about organizing and assumed that I have received the salary I deserve," says Solberg.

But it wasn't that simple.

Jim Hansen, who is a union representative at the workplace, insisted that Geir Olav and Tore had to organize, and they agreed. Shortly after, the results came in dollars and cents.

"It's Jim who has taken the initiative and stood up for us. He is an incredibly neat guy to deal with and who has been extremely good. He wanted to harmonize the system so that the wage differences would not be large," says Bye.

"It's good to feel that the work you do is appreciated. Money is not everything, but it does something to the overall motivation when everything becomes more expensive. You sacrifice a little to try to make a difference in the health service," says Bye.

"Yes, such a salary increase does something to motivation," Solberg agrees. 

"I don't think it's very comfortable to discuss pay just for myself, so it's very nice to have a union representative, someone who takes the lead and makes it more equal for everyone, on equal terms," says Solberg.

The two NITO members emphasise that the salary level must be raised to a certain level, in order for the public health service to be able to attract people with the right knowledge and expertise, with a strong will.

"Otherwise, people prefer to work in the private sector," Bye emphasizes.

The entire medical technical department at Vestfold Hospital is organised in NITO and is united.

"Jim has made a determined effort to get everyone on board. It is easier to gain support from the management when you stand united," says Bye.

"I am very pleased that we have been so well taken care of in the NITO community. It provides security to have a union representative who is not afraid to enter into dialogue with the managers and stand their ground," says Solberg.