Strike averted at Hydro aluminium plants in Norway

Friday, 14 May 2010
A strike at Norsk Hydro's four aluminium smelters in Norway, which could have started on Wednesday, was averted after an agreement was reached between the energy industry union and the employers' organisation.

A spokesman for the union told Reuters on Wednesday “A deal has been done. The agreement was concluded late on Tuesday.”

If the parties had not reached an agreement, a strike would have started at 0400 GMT on Wednesday and could have potentially affected 1,650 employees working at Hydro's smelters in Aardal, Karmoey, Hoeyanger and Sunndal, which have a combined capacity of 765,000 tonnes a year.

(Sourced from Reuters)