A major hotel strike in a European country. Guests had to leave their rooms

On Sunday, April 19, the tourism industry strike began in Norway. Nearly three thousand trade union members are taking part in the protests, demanding real pay increases and guarantees of sickness benefit payments. The companies that have registered to participate include both hotels (including well-known international chains) and restaurants. The first injured guests appeared and had to shorten their stay due to the chaos. As the Norwegian website NRK writes, the strike is expected to be long-term.

Closed hotels in Norway

Tourists who are going to Norway in the coming days must prepare for serious problems. On Sunday at noon, a strike began by employees associated with the Fellesforbundet and Parat trade unions, which had earlier interrupted mediation with the Ombudsman. That’s nearly three thousand people employed in facilities across the country (the number is still growing).

The first hotels and restaurants appeared in Norwegian cities and had to temporarily suspend their operations due to the protests. The list includes, among others: Radisson Blu in Bergen. “We regret to inform you that the hotel is closed due to the ongoing hotel strike in Norway. We look forward to your return,” the facility’s representatives said on social media on Sunday. Guests who were staying at the hotel unexpectedly had to cut their stay short. Oslo Plaza, which is also on the strike list, is keeping its doors open for now, but service is limited. Strikes may also affect Scandic chain guests.

The strike may last a long time

The protests will also affect the operation of restaurants in Norway (and not only hotel ones). The list of facilities that have already been closed or are considering such closure includes, for example, several McDonald’s facilities and Compass Group canteens.

Kristin Krohn Devold, director of tourism at the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises (NHO), believes that the strike will be long-lasting. “Many of our members earn 76.4 percent of the average wage of an industrial worker,” explains Unn-Kristin Olsen, leader of the Parat trade union. According to Statistics Norway, hotel receptionists in Norway earn on average NOK 39,630 per month (approx. PLN 15,200).