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New term disrupted by Norwegian teachers' strike

Around 7,700 teachers have now joined industrial action that has been ongoing for 50 days

22.08.2014 - Update : 22.08.2014
New term disrupted by Norwegian teachers' strike

By Saroj Chumber

OSLO 

Norwegian students faced disruption on their first day back at school as a nationwide teachers' strike entered its 50th day.

Some schools closed their doors while others were able to run some classes with minimal staff as 7,700 teachers joined the industrial action on Thursday over working hours and conditions.

The Union of Education Norway and employer the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, known as the KS, are due to resume talks to attempt to resolve action that has affected primary and secondary schools and colleges.

The crux of the dispute is the KS's desire to have teachers work at least seven-and-a-half hour days at school. The union claims teachers already work longer hours than this, much of it outside school.

Magne Aasbrenn, an associate professor at Frederik II Secondary School in Fredrikstad, said teachers have not received any invitation to resume talks. He said staff wanted a degree of autonomy and trust from their employers.

He said: "The teachers are reacting to the lack of confidence and an attempt to 'control us.' It's like saying that priests only work an hour a week and  henceforth must be present in the church for seven and a half hours every day."

Aasbrenn added: "The employers want us to work as clerks and use a punching system to show that we are present at the school for seven-and-a-half hours everyday."

Schools in Norway were due to open on Monday but there seems no solution in sight.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday that the government would not intervene in the strike.

She said: "There is obviously a crisis of confidence between teachers and [the] KS. But this is a legal strike. It means that the government cannot cancel the strike and it is up to the parties to resolve the conflict."

In the capital Oslo schools are open as normal due to an agreement between the KS and the union.

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