"We have clear expectations for the settlements in the public sector, and large parts of the business sector are doing well," says NITO's head of negotiations, Knut Aarbakke
"We have clear expectations for the settlements in the public sector, and large parts of the business sector are doing well," says NITO's head of negotiations, Knut Aarbakke

Clear expectations for this year's wage settlement

The figures from the Technical Mining Assessment Committee show that wage growth for internationally exposed manufacturing (the frontline industry) was higher than expected. "That the frontline trade unions should lay down tight guidelines for most other negotiations is not acceptable when they miss so much," says Knut Aarbakke, head of negotiations at NITO.

Translated by AI

The Technical Calculation Committee for the Income Settlements (TBU) has presented its preliminary report, and it shows 4.8% wage growth overall for the largest bargaining areas in Norway.

The TBU says something about how wage growth was in 2025 for different groups, and is an important basis for the various negotiations that will be carried out in the future. 

The main figures from TBU show

  • 5,1% lønnsvekst i industrien i NHO-området.

  • 4,4% lønnsvekst innen varehandel.

  • 4,8% lønnsvekst i staten.

  • 4,6% lønnsvekst i kommunesektoren (4,8% for undervisningsansatte).

  • 4,3% lønnsvekst i Spekter helse.

  • 4,5% lønnsvekst i Spekter øvrige.

We see that wage growth in manufacturing, especially for manufacturing workers, was much higher than they themselves said it would be after last year's settlement. At the same time, inflation remains higher than most people have expected. 

- When the settlement for industrial workers in internationally exposed industries was completed last year, they said that wage growth would be 4.4%. The answer is 5.1. That the so-called Front-line trade union should lay down tight guidelines for most other negotiations is not acceptable when they miss so much," says Knut Aarbakke, head of negotiations at NITO.

- When the settlement for industrial workers in internationally exposed industries was completed last year, they said that wage growth would be 4.4%. The answer is 5.1. That the so-called Frontfaget should lay down tight guidelines for most other negotiations is not acceptable when they miss so much

Knut Aarbakke, head of negotiations at NITO.

Many and demanding wage negotiations will be carried out throughout the year, and the groups that came out worst last year naturally take note of the figures. NITO's own figures for members' wage growth in the public sector are not yet ready, but it is clear that the TBU figures give certain groups, for example in the hospitals, more arguments against the negotiations.

"We have clear expectations for the settlements in the public sector, and large parts of the business sector are doing well. Through local negotiations in the individual enterprise, NITO's union representatives will ensure good wage growth for our members, with solid real wage growth also yesterday," says NITO's head of negotiations.

Conditions for good wage settlements

The report from TBU predicts that prices will increase by 3.0% this year, and no interest rate cuts are expected anytime soon. For everyone with a loan, this means that it is only wage developments that can ensure better purchasing power. 

- NITO has skilled and committed union representatives who stand up for the members all over the country and in all industries. We see good conditions for good wage settlements in most industries and sectors, so we are now looking forward to demanding, but positive wage settlements for NITO's members," concludes Aarbakke

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