Breakdown in wage negotiations in the state
– The gap between the parties was too wide, and not enough money was ever put on the table, summarises Steinar A. Sæther, chief negotiator for Unio state.
30.04.2026
Unio had to conclude that it was not possible to reach an agreement with the state in the wage negotiations. Now there will be mediation. From left: Andrea Mandt, Roar Fosse, Steinar A. Sæther, Marius Bækkevar and Jorunn Solgaard.
Since April 16, Unio stat has been in wage negotiations with the state. Solid real wage growth was the most important demand when Unio sat down at the negotiating table, and this demand is also the reason why the negotiations broke down.
– The distance between the parties was too great. The financial offer from the state was simply not good enough, and is in contrast to the state's goal of retaining and recruiting expertise that is highly competitive in the labor market, says Sæther.
Unio's other main message before the negotiations was an expectation of real negotiations on the provisions of the main collective agreement. Here, Sæther has much good to say about the other party.
– Before the breakdown, we managed to have constructive negotiations on how we can develop the main collective agreement with the state. I am glad for that, and it is work we can build on later.
The wage settlement will now go to mediation at the National Mediator. Mediation starts on May 7, and has a deadline at midnight on Thursday, May 28.