Our program 2025-2028
English version.
For Our Members
The trade union Forbundet Styrke was established on 11 December 2023 following the merger of the former unions Industri Energi and Forbundet for Ledelse og Teknikk. Forbundet Styrke is one of the four largest unions within the LO (Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions), with more than 80,000 members in oil, gas, onshore industry, management, and technical professions.
The union has two main offices, in Oslo and Stavanger, and also an office in Brussels.
Together, we fight for wages and working conditions, our rights, our safety, and our framework conditions.
We are a democratic membership organization where the National Congress (Landsmøtet) is the union’s highest decision‑making body.
Forbundet Styrke is politically independent and rooted in the values of the labour movement. We do not allocate funds to political parties.
We exist for our members in the industries and sectors where we have organizing rights. Membership ensures employees increased influence over pay and working conditions, their own workplace, everyday working life, leisure time, and quality of life.
Forbundet Styrke works to strengthen influence for all members. The more people who choose to become members of Forbundet Styrke, the greater influence we gain.
Our most important resource is active and well‑trained elected representatives. Forbundet Styrke represents members and shop stewards in companies responsible for more than 80 percent of Norway’s export revenues. Our members contribute to national value creation and welfare development—around the clock, every single day, 365 days a year.
The Norwegian and international labour movements will face major challenges in the coming years due to rapid and far‑reaching changes in society and working life. These challenges must be met together:
– through a strong community, based on our values, bargaining power, political influence, and ability to deliver results.
Together we further develop our collective agreements and our wage and working conditions. Together we promote clear professional and political demands in all industries where we organize members.
The union’s governing bodies are the National Congress, the National Executive Board, the Union Board, and the Executive Committee.
The National Congress is the highest authority of the union.
Vision and Objectives
Our goal is to strengthen members’ influence over their pay and working conditions, the development of collective agreements, and to secure the best possible framework conditions for members’ workplaces. We do this under the vision: “Stronger Together.”
Employee influence over their own workplaces and conditions is secured by defending and strengthening the Norwegian model. We work for influence, predictability, increased productivity, increased inclusion, innovation, skills development, and a strengthened welfare society for all.
Our work concerns members’ working lives—it is about work, leisure, and welfare. We should have good conditions both at work and in our free time.
International engagement and solidarity work are a natural extension of the struggle for economic and social justice for workplaces and welfare, also in Norway. Forbundet Styrke therefore has a strong international commitment.
Forbundet Styrke does not tolerate attitudes or actions that discriminate against or harass workers.
Equality and diversity are central concepts in all of the union’s activities.
Today, we see the far right gaining ground in several countries. The rhetoric is recognizable: misogyny, racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and attacks on the labour movement and democratic institutions. The spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and hatred weakens democracy and creates tension and conflict between groups.
The union shall help create safe and inclusive workplaces with zero tolerance for racism, discrimination, and far‑right ideology. The union shall be a clear and united force for safety, democracy, and community for all.
Overarching Goals and Priority Areas
– Preserve and further develop our collective agreements to ensure they are future‑oriented.
– Build a shared culture that strengthens identity and unity among members and elected representatives.
– Strengthen and actively further develop all 11 cooperation committees to ensure the best possible collaboration between clubs and departments within the same industry areas.
– Increase the rate of unionization in all of the union’s industries, sectors, and fields.
– Increase focus on engineers, managers, and individually salaried employees.
– Be a strong and clear societal actor and a voice for our members and elected representatives.
– Put issues that concern members on the political agenda.
– Influence political processes so that society is receptive to our shared perspectives.
– Provide the best continuing and further education and skills‑development offers in our industries.
– Actively invest in young people, students, and apprentices.
– Work to ensure that senior employees can take the extra week of vacation without loss of income.
– Be attractive to operators and collectively paid employees.
Pay, Working Conditions, and Member Benefits
Forbundet Styrke shall have the best and most future‑oriented collective agreements, while also managing traditions and provisions more than one hundred years old. The development of collective agreements and the conduct of collective bargaining are the union’s core tasks—together with elected representatives—on behalf of our members.
Collective agreements are the core of the union’s activities. They are in constant development and regulate wages and working conditions for the various groups of members the union organizes. The Basic Agreement provides the right to co‑determination and participation in companies.
Forbundet Styrke shall actively assist in developing, negotiating, and improving our collective agreements locally, centrally, and in the Labour Court. The handling of disputes over interpretation of agreements is characterized by efficient case processing, courage, well‑considered and competence‑based positions, respect for history, and a forward‑looking approach.
Through the development of our agreements, we will strengthen individual members’ rights and the ability of elected representatives to look after members.
The union consists of competent and engaged elected representatives. Forbundet Styrke actively works to increase competence among representatives and members to ensure and further develop central and local agreements.
Training for members and elected representatives is a fundamental cornerstone. Well‑trained representatives are essential for helping members with employment issues and for facilitating active local organizational work. Training shall be conducted so that as many as possible can participate—both digitally and in person—to balance work and family life.
The union will work to ensure that elected representatives receive training with pay, and that the education offered reflects the needs of representatives and safety delegates. Local courses and conferences will be facilitated.
Forbundet Styrke works actively to provide members and representatives with the best possible follow‑up. They shall experience high quality in their interactions with us. Together with our partners, we aim to ensure that our total membership offering is preferable to that of competitors.
High Union Density
The more members we have, the more influence we gain. Recruitment and member retention are therefore key priorities. Recruitment mainly takes place in workplaces, but the union will also be present at universities, vocational schools, colleges, and vocational training institutions.
Unorganized workers often receive the same benefits from collective agreements without contributing. It is therefore in our shared interest to increase organization by retaining and recruiting members.
The union shall support representatives in recruitment efforts and member follow‑up, develop targeted recruitment strategies, and provide tools and resources to support local recruitment. Experience sharing will be facilitated to increase union density.
Forbundet Styrke Ung (Youth)
The youth organization’s mission is to organize young people, activate young members, and promote the union’s political priorities to young trade unionists and youth political environments.
The union works systematically to reach students, vocational students, apprentices, and vocational school pupils through school and workplace visits. A key task is creating relevant activities and arenas for young members, including establishing more local youth committees and youth representatives.
Courses, gatherings, and conferences for young members and representatives shall be held regularly. The annual youth conference will be maintained as a professional and social arena.
Increased Organization Among Immigrants
The union plays an important role in securing fair wages and working conditions for all workers. Many immigrants work in low‑pay sectors with insecure employment and poor conditions. Without strong collective organization, they are more vulnerable to exploitation. The union will intensify efforts to increase unionization among immigrants.
Framework Conditions
Forbundet Styrke works for stable and predictable framework conditions to support growth, welfare, and the green transition. Norway needs long‑term, predictable policies to attract investment and promote sustainable initiatives.
The EEA Agreement is a key foundation for Norway’s trade. Stable fiscal policy is essential. Access to stable and affordable electricity is critical for members as citizens and workers. Hydropower is a cornerstone of Norwegian energy supply, providing a renewable and flexible system. Our demand is sufficient power at reasonable prices.
Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
The union works to ensure the highest priority for HSE across all workplaces—offshore, onshore, and beyond. We strive for continuous improvement, participation, and preventive work so all workers return home safely every day.
Workplaces shall meet the world’s highest HSE standards, with legally protected rights to a safe working environment.
Pressure in Working Life
Work organization is changing rapidly, driven largely by cost‑cutting and staffing pressure. This affects workload, safety, exposure, and psychosocial conditions. Digitalization and automation are accelerating change, impacting job roles, safety, and work organization.
The welfare system must support workers during downsizing through skills measures, psychosocial support, and leave rights. The union will work to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, healthier shift arrangements, limits on inconvenient working hours, and stronger rights to reduced hours.
Norwegian shall be the main working language, supplemented when necessary to ensure safety and inclusion. The union is also pioneering work to support workers with dyslexia and reading and writing challenges.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Work Environment
Mental health challenges are increasing due to stress, workload, insecurity, and blurred boundaries between work and leisure. Mental health shall be treated on equal footing with physical health.
The union will promote responsibility, openness, competence building, preventive measures, and stronger regulations. Workplaces should be both preventive and health‑promoting environments.
Whistleblowing
The Working Environment Act was strengthened in 2020. The union will work for further political responsibility and advocates the establishment of a national whistleblower ombudsman.
Occupational Injuries and Safety
Members are exposed to chemicals, dust, noise, vibrations, and more. The union will work to minimize harm and expand recognition of occupational diseases, including psychological and musculoskeletal disorders.
Employers’ obligations to provide health examinations must be strengthened, including specialized testing for offshore workers. Helicopter safety remains a top priority.
HSE in New Industries
Emerging industries such as offshore wind, batteries, hydrogen, and ammonia bring new opportunities and risks. The union will demand the highest HSE standards and participate actively in regulation and preventive work.
Competence and Education
Forbundet Styrke supports lifelong learning and equal access to education as a public responsibility. Continuous skills development is essential for job security and competitiveness. LO scholarship support should be increased and simplified.
Apprentices and Practical Training
There is a shortage of apprenticeship placements. All vocational students should receive company‑based training. Apprenticeship periods must be fully recognized as seniority. Closer collaboration between schools and workplaces is essential.
Higher Vocational Education, Universities, and Lifelong Learning
Higher education must be publicly owned and offered across the country. Practical training should be available in all study programs. Higher vocational education should be expanded and recognized on par with academic education.
Employers must cover costs for further education required by operational changes, including paid leave for study and exams.
Working Life and Welfare
The union’s ambition is work for all. Permanent, full‑time employment shall be the norm. Industry remains crucial for employment, including inclusion of young people and seniors.
Workplace Democracy and a Serious Labour Market
Compliance with collective agreements is essential. Local bargaining rights must be strengthened. The union will combat social dumping, promote IA agreements, and defend welfare rights such as sick pay, unemployment benefits, and leave rights.
Equality
Despite Norway’s reputation, significant gender inequality remains. The union will work for full‑time work, equal pay, better equipment and facilities for women, family‑friendly work arrangements, improved pregnancy accommodations, and increased research on women’s health in industry.
Action Plan Against Extremism
The union will develop an action plan to increase knowledge and tools to combat fascism, racism, discrimination, and anti‑democratic forces through education and engagement.
Pensions
The union will safeguard predictable pensions, strengthen AFP rights, and ensure future‑oriented pension schemes. Occupational pensions remain a key focus, along with ensuring healthy working lives so members can remain in work longer.
Housing
The union will advocate for a fair, regulated housing policy, affordable housing, student housing, and employer‑supported housing solutions.
Dental Health
The union will work to include dental care in the national insurance scheme on par with other health services.
Use the Whole Country
Forbundet Styrke will support industrial activity, value creation, settlement patterns, public services, and infrastructure throughout Norway, especially along the coast and in rural areas.
International Engagement
International solidarity is a natural extension of national struggles. The union has a strong international profile due to members’ role in exports and multinational companies. Global cooperation, solidarity work, and strong unions are essential for democracy, human rights, and fair distribution.
The union will remain active in European Works Councils, global networks, and cooperation with sister unions. It will support civil society organizations, especially Norwegian People’s Aid.
Reducing inequality is essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The union will advocate for fair transitions, global welfare systems, vaccine equity, and stronger workers’ rights worldwide.
Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights
The annual prize will be continued to highlight and support trade unionists and unions fighting for fundamental rights and democracy worldwide.
No to Nuclear Weapons
The union supports the international ban on nuclear weapons and calls on Norway to accede to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Western Sahara
The union condemns Morocco’s occupation and exploitation of Western Sahara and supports the Sahrawi people’s right to self‑determination.
Palestine
The union condemns violations of international law, supports ending the occupation, lifting the blockade of Gaza, recognizing Palestine within the 1967 borders, and holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable.
Ukraine
Forbundet Styrke strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demands withdrawal, and supports reconstruction based on democracy, human rights, workers’ rights, sustainability, and social justice.