The postal settlement removed the threat of disruptions in the delivery of packages and other mail. Workers had threatened to strike from 6am Thursday if no settlement was reached.
It guarantees annual raises of at least NOK 17,900 (about USD 3,500) for postal workers, effective from April 1. Funds were also set aside to grant postal workers another pay hike from December 1.
"We are satisfied that our members secured a decent wage hike," said union leader Odd Christian Øverland. The pay increases average 6 percent.
Like postal services all over the world, Norway's has been undergoing major restructuring in recent years. Scores of traditional post offices have been closed, with postal services moved into retail stores that can offer longer opening hours.
Airport strike threat remains
While postal workers settled their dispute, the threat of a strike at some Norwegian airports remained. Employees of civil aviation authority Avinor were poised to walk off the job Friday morning if pay demands weren't met.
The two sides continued negotiating on Thursday, with a deadline for a settlement set for midnight.
If no agreement was reached, airports in Bergen, Molde, Kristiansund, Mosjøen, Mo i Rana, and Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) would be forced to close.
Around 220 Avinor employees would be taken out in the first phase of a strike. Airport closures would result from a lack of personnel needed to respond to any fires or other emergencies. All military, rescue and air ambulance flights, however, would be allowed to take off and land.
Only a few workers at Norway's main international gateway airport at Oslo/Gardemoen would be affected by the strike, so traffic in and out of Oslo was expected to proceed as normal, even if a strike was called. Flights to and from Oslo involving affected airports, however, would be cancelled.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for the status of any flights in question.
