200 Norwegian oil workers go on strike

[Robbien]

By Doug Mellgren, Associated Press Writer | June 18, 2004

OSLO, Norway -- About 200 Norwegian oil workers went on strike Friday, and employers said the walkout will reduce daily oil output from the world's third biggest oil exporting country by approximately 15 percent at a critical time for global oil supplies.


The strike began after state-led mediation failed in a contract dispute and affected several offshore oil platforms. Employers said it will reduce Norway's daily production of 3 million barrels by approximately 455,000 barrels. Norway trails only Saudi Arabia and Russia in terms of oil exports.

Talks involving two Norwegian unions, the Federation of Oil Workers' Trade Unions and Lederene, collapsed amid a dispute over pensions.

The unions recalled 207 workers from three Norwegian offshore oil fields operated by Statoil ASA, ConocoPhilips and ExxonMobil. Leaders said they will decide in about a week whether to escalate the labor conflict.

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/06/18/200_norwegian_oil_workers_go_on_strike/