Nearly 4,000 workers in privately operated day care centers ended a five-week-long nationwide strike this week and could head back to work, finally armed with the improved pension programs they’d sought for years.
“I’m mostly just relieved,” Trond Ellefsen, among those representing the day care workers, told state broadcaster NRK Wednesday morning. “We have been on strike for a long time, we’ve been negotiating since 3pm yesterday. Now, without sleep and lots of hard work, I’m just relieved and glad.”
Employees working in day care centers that are members of Private Barnehagers Landsforfund (PBL) will now be able to retire at age 62 instead of 67. The percentage of their incomes that they pay into their own pension plans will also be reduced.
Day care centers affected by the strike were due to reopen on Thursday, offering relief to working parents who have had to use up holidays or find alternative care for their children since October 15.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
