People flocked to the trade union during the strike – news Vestland

On Thursday, LO and NHO finally agreed on a wage increase of 5.2 per cent, after four days of strike action. While the leaders were in negotiations, the trade union in LO saw a large increase in new members. – Trust authorities around companies have done a great job. People have seen how important it is to organise. Now it will be our job to keep them. That’s what Christopher Beckham, head of the Trade and Office Confederation, says. Through the strike, they have gained 820 new members, which is the best week they have had so far this year. They think the strike is the main reason. Christopher Beckham in Handel og Kontor sees for the first time a daily doubling in over a week in the number of registrations. Photo: Ilja C. Hendel / © Ilja C. Hendel They are one of many trade unions that have seen a clear increase in membership through the strike. The Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions, the Confederation of Trade Unions, Industri Energi, the Confederation for Leing and Technology and the Electrical and IT Confederation also report the best week so far this year. Several of them have had a doubling in registrations during the strike week. People want to join the fight The Fellesforbundet has increased by around 1,300 members through the strike. Now they have over 166,500 members, which is a recent record. Deputy owner Kine Asper Vistnes says that strikes generally lead to growth in the trade union, but thinks it has been extra special this year. – People are fed up with falling real wages again and again, high prices and high interest rates. They have not seen any growth in wages, at the same time as management salaries have galloped. Kine Asper Vistnes in Fellesforbundet believes people will join the wage fight. Photo: Privat Vistnes believes that people see that what LO is doing is fair, and will join the fight. – Now we must ensure that the new members are well taken care of. The strength lies outside among the members. They are the ones who give us the basis to press on when needed. Frode Alfheim in Industri Energi says that they tend to see an increase in registrations, especially after company visits, during strikes and when collective agreements are approaching. More members give more power Alfheim believes that this year’s midterm results showed the power of the LO community. – We can soon celebrate one million members in LO. More members will give us even more clout in negotiations, he says. Collectively, LO can show the greatest growth so far this year. There has been a doubling in registrations in the last week. From about 350 to 750 daily. Frode Alfheim in Industrial Energy. Photo: Industri Energi



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