OSLO, Norway—Approximately twelve thousands policemen all over Norway participated in a ninety-minute strike on Thursday, Jan. 29, to protest new labor rules.
Only a small number of staff were left to work at headquarters and deal with emergencies.
“We expect the strike will be widely observed and that it will affect all the districts in the country,” Arne Johannessen, president of the Police Union, to AFP.
“We will only fulfill vital jobs like headquarters operations so we meet our responsibility toward society,” he said.
The Norwegian Police Union says the government made changes in labor rules, such as cutting down rest time, without consent of the Police Union.
Justice Minister Knut Storberget said there has been a long dialogue between the police and the ministry, according to AP. He pointed out the problem is mainly a shortage of police resources.
The government has acknowledged the problem and is adding up to 700 new police jobs this year.
Only a small number of staff were left to work at headquarters and deal with emergencies.
“We expect the strike will be widely observed and that it will affect all the districts in the country,” Arne Johannessen, president of the Police Union, to AFP.
“We will only fulfill vital jobs like headquarters operations so we meet our responsibility toward society,” he said.
The Norwegian Police Union says the government made changes in labor rules, such as cutting down rest time, without consent of the Police Union.
Justice Minister Knut Storberget said there has been a long dialogue between the police and the ministry, according to AP. He pointed out the problem is mainly a shortage of police resources.
The government has acknowledged the problem and is adding up to 700 new police jobs this year.
