Norwegian politics, Bjørnar Moxnes | Now it’s the ladies’ turn to get a pay rise

The country’s nurses, health professionals and others who work in welfare have every reason to feel cheated ahead of this year’s election. Of several parties, but most of all of Frp.

When the corona pandemic hit, teachers, nurses, health professionals, kindergarten staff and others abruptly stood in front and worked hard. They were exposed to a high risk of infection.

But where the government introduced a fast queue for itself and other politicians, far too many who work in schools and kindergartens are still not vaccinated. They really did not get what they deserved.

People in critical social functions received applause, but not a penny more from the employers.

Also read: Red crushes all parties on social media

FRP said that teachers and health personnel should come first in the queue in the wage settlement. Sylvi Listhaug promised a pay rise for important groups in welfare. And since the FRP had the decisive votes Erna Solberg needed to get a majority for the budgets, there were perhaps some who saw hope for a deserved wage increase.

This promise came from a politician with real power. Finally, they should get something more than applause.

But so far there has not been a penny on the table from Frp. The only thing that came was talk of some kind of plan in the future. Listhaug knew as well as others that the chance was minimal that she would have the power to get something done with the case next year.

Maybe that was the whole point? As is well known, it is easier to promise that someone else will fix things, than to take matters into your own hands.

The bluff started with a decision at the FRP’s national meeting. The decision made at the national meeting states that “FRP wants a three-year escalation plan which proposes that an extra salary supplement be given to nurses and health professionals for the next three years.”

Click here to subscribe to newsletters from Norwegian debate

Listhaug promised to start already in the spring adjustment of the state budget, for which the FRP secured a majority. But there was not set aside five øre for a lift.

All that was left was a decision to make a plan: “In connection with the state budget for 2022, the Storting asks the government to present a plan to secure more nurses, social workers, specialist nurses, midwives and health professionals in the years ahead.”

An airy plan. Free choice meat. That is all that remains of Listhaug’s promise of a pay rise for the nurses. But as you know, airy plans do not pay bills. As little as applause.

Also read: Moxnes with a resounding no: – Does not fall into that trap

The next opportunity for a boost was abrupt when the Unio strike was stopped by a forced wage board.

This was the fourth time the bourgeois government stopped a legal strike with a forced wage board. It was done on a thin basis. The strike in Oslo municipality was stopped on the grounds that staffing was down to a level that put life and health at risk. But the staffing was on a par with ordinary weekend staffing. A clear attack on the right to strike.

The FRP voted in the Storting for the use of a compulsory wage board, and against Rødt’s proposal to secure a wage increase, in negotiations with the parties. Not only that: At KS, which was the counterpart to everyone who fought for legitimate demands in schools, kindergartens and the health sector in Norwegian municipalities, without winning, FRP deputy leader Terje Søviknes sits on the main board.

The employers in the public sector are Kommune-Norge and the state. It is a political responsibility to ensure good conditions for employees in welfare. The last year has fully shown that these are critical societal functions. FRP has shown what they have to offer: Only empty promises and air money. After the election, it will be the task of a new majority to raise the wage level in female-dominated occupations.

We must ensure that everyone who works in socially critical professions has a real opportunity to negotiate the salary they deserve.

Also read: Moxnes: – The empty plane from Kabul is a picture of the government’s betrayal

Then an equal pay pot is needed, as recommended by the government-appointed equal pay commission. Such a pot for the settlement in the public sector, which is in addition to the ordinary framework in the wage negotiations, is the only way to achieve a real wage increase for women-dominated occupations in the public sector.

But will there be any change? There has been a red-green government before, without it giving any equal pay jump.

The difference this time is that Rødt is aiming for a record choice over the barrier limit. This means that a new government will not only have parties to its right that push them in its direction, but also a counterforce:

An impatient Red who is ready to cooperate and challenge. A force to the left of the government that is pulling in the right direction. The measurements show that we can get a record strong left side. Then we will make our way in the gruel!

Read more from the Norwegian debate

But nothing is certain until the last ballot is counted. Think about it: Your vote can make all the difference in whether Red gets over the four percent threshold, thus triggering 5-9 extra seats for the left.

Think what kind of outboard this could be for a new majority. Then we can make a difference for people.

–