A trade union, often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers who have come together to achieve common goals, such as protecting the integrity of their trade, improving safety standards, and attaining better wages, benefits, and working conditions through the increased bargaining power wielded by solidarity among workers. Trade unions typically fund the formal organization, head office, and legal team functions of the trade union through regular fees or union dues. The delegate staff of the trade union representation in the workforce are made up of workplace volunteers who are appointed by members in democratic elections.
The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions is a national trade union center, decidedly the largest and probably the most influential umbrella organization of labour unions in Norway. The 21 national unions affiliated to the LO have almost 1,000,000 members of a Norwegian population of 5 million. The majority of affiliated unions organizes traditional blue collar workers, but the largest affiliate is the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees which makes up more than a third of all members. LO is affiliated to the ITUC and the ETUC. Gerd Kristiansen was elected leader on 6 May 2013 for a four-year period.
The Electrician and IT Workers' Union is a trade union in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Iron and Metalworkers was a trade union representing workers in the metal industry, workshops, and shipbuilding in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Paper Industry Workers was a trade union representing workers involved in manufacturing paper in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Forestry and Land Workers was a trade union in Norway, organized under the national Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions.
Trade unions in Norway first emerged with the efforts of Marcus Thrane and the formation of the Drammen Labour Union in 1848 which organised agricultural workers and crofters. However, with Thrane's imprisonment and the suppression of the union in 1855, it was not until 1872 before a union was founded again, by print workers. In 1899 the first national federation, the LO, was founded. During this period interactions with trade unions in Denmark and Sweden played a great influence over the development of trade unions in Norway.
The Italian Union of Postal Workers is a trade union representing workers at Poste italiane.
The Norwegian Union of Wood Industry Workers was a trade union representing woodworkers in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Hide and Leather Workers was a trade union representing workers in the leather industry in Norway.
The Norwegian Central Union of Book Printers was a trade union representing typographers and those in related trades in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Foundry Workers was a trade union representing workers in metal foundries in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Stone Industry Workers was a trade union representing stonemasons and quarry workers in Norway.
The Norwegian Bakery and Confectionery Workers' Union was a trade union representing workers in the baking trade in Norway.
The Norwegian Tobacco Workers' Union was a trade union representing workers involved in making cigars, cigarettes and related products in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Meat Industry Workers was a trade union representing workers in abattoirs and butchers in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Electricians and Power Station Officials was a trade union representing workers in jobs relating to electricity, in Norway.
The Norwegian Telecommunication and Data Workers' Union was a trade union representing telecommunication and information technology workers in Norway.
The Norwegian Union of Telecommunication Workers was a trade union representing fitters and delivery workers at Televerket.
The National Union of Postal Clerks was a trade union representing workers at sub-post offices in Norway.
