Restaurant Owner Relieved as Strike Ends, Avoiding Potential Layoffs and Supply Disruptions

Restaurant owner Ivar Breivik in Ålesund feared he would have to lay off almost all of his 60 employees. Now he breathes a sigh of relief.

– There was a small shout of jubilation in the office and the kitchen now, says Ivar Breivik, who owns eight restaurants in Ålesund. That the strike is now over, is good news for the restaurant owner.

He has told VG that he would run out of beer this week, and feared that the escalation of the strike would mean that he could not get access to fresh produce. Now he does not have to lay off all of his 60 employees and can return to normal opening hours.

– It’s absolutely fantastic, it couldn’t have been better.

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The general strike is over

LO and NHO have reached an agreement, the parties themselves confirm. YS said no, and is still on strike.

Breivik told VG earlier this week that the restaurant industry already had some tough years during the pandemic.

– Many employees disappeared during the corona pandemic and we have worked very hard to get hold of the ones we have now. When it comes to redundancies, the employees naturally feel threatened. We risk them quitting, he told VG earlier this week.

Now he has faith in a sizzling summer season.

– That’s 100 kilos off my shoulders. I have spent a week with a lot of stress and worries. Now everything disappeared.

Ringenes: – Rolls up the sleeves

– It is great news, we are very happy that the parties have reached an agreement, says Ringnes communications manager Nicolay Bruusgaard.

He says that Ringnes will now try to make up for the production that was lost this week.

– We can guarantee that we are now rolling up our sleeves and will try to fill up all shops, restaurants and bars as soon as possible.
– But we have to ask them to be patient, because it has not been done in an enforcement, he adds.

– Do you want to start production already tonight?

– It will be opened as soon as possible, but it depends on a number of factors.

– Vital for many

Earlier this week, VG spoke with cleaner Naemy Trandum Aasen. She is one of many low-paid workers in Norway, who have been LO’s focus in the strike.

– I am afraid that people are unable to understand what it is really like to be poor. This is vital for many, Aasen told VG earlier this week.

Aasen emphasizes that the differences have increased in Norway, and that the strike has been very important for the low-paid. She has high expectations for the outcome of the negotiations.

– I’m very excited.

– I hope the low-paid get a solid increase that makes everyday life go better financially. That they get a pay rise that they can live with and off.