Strike looms in Denmark


Unions and employers in Denmark’s public sector appear set for confrontation over a pay increase for the next three years. 


Some 800,000 people work in the public sector at local, regional and national level. Negotiations with employers at each of these levels collapsed at the end of February and the unions announced plans for targeted strike action starting on 4 April. The employers have responded with a threat to lock out more than 400,000 from 10 April onwards. 


An attempt is underway to resolve the dispute through mediation, but if that fails a major conflict looks likely.