Kuvakaappaus Journalisten.no Photo: On Tuesday May 15, the 1700 journalist members of the Norwegian Union of Journalists at the Norwegian Public Service Broadcasting NRK went on strike, after negotiations and mediation did not lead to a new collective agreement. The Union of journalists in Finland supports Norwegian colleagues in their demands and fight for better conditions, says UJF president Hanne Aho. According to the Norwegian Union, these are the main reasons for the conflict with the management: NRK wants to replace around 100 journalists every year. NJ demands that NRK takes responsibility for necessary mid-career training, updating and competence needed for the future. We do not want to be outdated! The NRK journalists earns 110.000 NOK (12.000 EUR) less than their colleagues in the other big media houses. Reduce the pay gap! NRK has in five years saved 500 million NOK (550.000 EUR) because journalists work faster and smarter. NRK has rationalized and saved money through the last three annual bargaining processes and the journalists have accepted a new pension scheme that saves NRK 140 million NOK (15 million EUR) annually. NRK can afford to give us a reasonable rise in pay. Colleague journalists with precarious contracts in NRK earn less than the permanent staff. We demand equal conditions for temporaries and freelancers. NRK will increase the journalists’ work load even more and cut their leisure time. We say no!