The most complicated settlement in many years

She explains this by the fact that, in addition to the usual negotiations on changes to the Basic Collective Agreement, no agreement has been reached on various special agreements that will also be sought to find a solution to. This applies, among other things, to the working hours agreement for teaching staff, and it is important for NITO.

"The points that the parties did not agree on during the special negotiations may have an impact on our vocational teachers' working day," says Gro Gaarder.

The special agreement on workwear and musical instruments as well as the OU agreement will also be negotiated.

"The OU agreement is important as it can have an impact on our estimates," says Gaarder.

In addition, Akademikerne did not reach an agreement with KS in the Main Agreement negotiations and it is also involved in the negotiations. 

- In the Basic Collective Agreement , the preliminary input we have received on demands shows that there are demands that cost - this means that we have to prioritize hard - with good justifications with our demands to Akademikerne in mid-March. 

Expects real wage growth

Finances and wage negotiations mainly take place locally in the local government sector.

"The important thing here is that there are free and genuine negotiations where the central negotiations in chapter 4 do not become one answer - but one of several considerations," says Gaarder. 

Salary is still an important personnel policy instrument, she emphasizes.

"We expect real wage growth that will make the local government sector an attractive employer and acquire the necessary expertise.

Expertise costs

Gaarder is concerned that it is necessary to attract the right expertise in order to carry out the tasks and changes in the municipal sector that are necessary in the future, also with regard to the emergency preparedness that is in focus in this year's total preparedness year.

- The government has appointed a municipal commission to look at streamlining the sector, including changes and the use of the right expertise. The Commission wants input and we will start the input work at the central collective bargaining conference. We must show what and how we can contribute to the development of the sector. This is a good way to show the importance of our expertise, which is expected to be rewarded.

Less centralised payroll system in Oslo

The City of Oslo is a separate collective agreement area that is part of NITO Municipality. In this year's negotiations, a linguistic review of the agreement will be on the table.

"The most important thing for NITO and Akademikerne is to continue to work to ensure that our members in the City of Oslo also have a less centralised wage system and good real wage growth," concludes Gaarder.