Industrial Relations in Norway

Abstract

The Norwegian industrial relations system is marked by close co-operation between the state, the employers and the unions and by the high degree of institutionalization of labour relations in general and conflict resolution in particulilr. This co-operation arises partly from industrialisation at a time when democratic attitudes and processes were already established and from the need for national unity in the post-war reconstruction. This co-operation and institutionalization is illustrated by the highly centralised trade union movement and in the formal aspects of the bargaining and conflict resolution system such as the Labour Court and the committees and other bodies associated with the incomes policy and tripartite bargaining system.