Tariff Agreements
The collective agreements are the very essence of Fellesforbundet's work and ensure fair wages and working conditions for members across all our industries. The collective agreements are also called agreements and are divided among various trades and occupational groups.
Fellesforbundet negotiates wages and working conditions on behalf of our members.
What is a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is an agreement between a company and a trade union (for example, Fellesforbundet). This agreement specifies the minimum benefits one should receive when working at the company. The same agreement is entered into across all companies within the same industry.
One of the advantages of a collective agreement is that you avoid having to constantly negotiate with the employer about the terms – you just refer to what is stated in the agreement.
The collective agreement contains provisions on working hours, wages, shift schedules, various allowances, and when employees are entitled to paid leave, etc. With a collective agreement, you are also guaranteed to receive the allowances negotiated at the national level each year.
When there is a collective agreement in the company, you as members of Fellesforbundet also have the right to negotiate together to obtain conditions that are better than those specified in the collective agreement.
Then you choose someone to represent all members of Fellesforbundet at the company. They will negotiate further with the employer on behalf of everyone. You create your own agreements regarding what you agree upon with the employer. These must be in writing.
It is only permitted to make agreements that provide better conditions than the collective agreement. Examples of this are work time arrangements, wages, and other supplements.
A collective agreement also gives you the right to information about what is happening in the company, and influence over decisions that affect your jobs.