Offshore workers had demanded higher wages and full pensionrights at 62 but oil companies refused to even negotiate about retirementissues.
Workers then went on a 16-day strike in July, reducing oiloutput by 13%, and only returned to work after the government broke up thestrike to protect Norway's reputation as a safe oil exporter.
"It is important to us to keep the pension questionoutside regular wage negotiations," said Haavard Hauan, a spokesman forthe Norwegian Oil & Gas Industry Association, the industry's chief lobbygroup.
Oil
