On 20 May 1999, plans for a possible merger of two trade union confederations, the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (Akademikernes Fellesorganisasjon, AF) and the Norwegian Confederation of Vocational Unions (Yrkesorganisasjonenes Sentralforbund, YS), were made public for the first time. The leaders of the two confederations, Aud Blankholm (AF) and Randi Bjørgen (YS), have taken the initiative to consider the possibility of a merger and the creation of a new confederation for white-collar workers. The ruling bodies of the two organisations are to decide on the issue before summer 1999. The aim is to have the new confederation established and in operation some time in 2000, preferably before the spring pay negotiations. The two leaders want to create a completely new organisation, with a new name and a new organisational structure. They also envisage the new organisation as an alternative for other trade unions which at present are independent. The merger of the two confederations would involve the pooling of approximately 350,000 members.
Plans to create a new Norwegian trade union confederation were made public on 20 May 1999, with the possible merger of the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (AF) and the Norwegian Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS). The leaders of the two confederations aim to complete the creation of the new organisation for white-collar workers some time in 2000.
On 20 May 1999, plans for a possible merger of two trade union confederations, the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (Akademikernes Fellesorganisasjon, AF) and the Norwegian Confederation of Vocational Unions (Yrkesorganisasjonenes Sentralforbund, YS), were made public for the first time. The leaders of the two confederations, Aud Blankholm (AF) and Randi Bjørgen (YS), have taken the initiative to consider the possibility of a merger and the creation of a new confederation for white-collar workers. The ruling bodies of the two organisations are to decide on the issue before summer 1999. The aim is to have the new confederation established and in operation some time in 2000, preferably before the spring pay negotiations. The two leaders want to create a completely new organisation, with a new name and a new organisational structure. They also envisage the new organisation as an alternative for other trade unions which at present are independent. The merger of the two confederations would involve the pooling of approximately 350,000 members.
The main reason given for the proposed merger is that there is no room for four trade union confederations in the Norwegian system, which is the case at the moment. The two leaders argue that the fragmentation and instability within the system is weakening the influence of employees with regard to developments in working life and in society in general. At the same time, however, AF is faced with substantial organisational challenges. The organisation was split over 1997-8, when several member unions seceded to form a new organisation for academically qualified staff, Akademikerne (NO9711133F). In February 1999, AF's second-largest member organisation, the Norwegian Society of Engineers (Norges Ingeniørforbund, NITO), decided to leave at the end of 1999 (NO9901111N). The implication of these developments is that AF will, at the end of 1999, have lost approximately half of its membership base. Furthermore, in March 1999 it emerged that AF's third-largest affiliate, Teachers' Union Norway (Lærerforbundet), is considering a merger with the independent Norwegian Union of Teachers (Norsk Lærerlag, NL) (NO9904127N). It is not clear whether the new organisation for teachers would be an independent organisation or would join one of the existing confederations. The Teachers' Union Norway leader, Anders Folkestad, has expressed reluctance about the proposal to merge the two teachers' unions.
„Eurofound“ siūlo šią publikaciją cituoti taip.
Eurofound (1999), New trade union confederation planned, article.
