The Confederation of Unions for Professionals, Norway (Unio) was founded in December 2001, and is Norway's second largest confederation of professional unions for employees. We have highly qualified members, including teachers, nurses, researchers, police officers, clergy, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, consultants and deacons.
Unio is politically neutral and has ten member unions with a total of 288,000 members.
Our primary goals are
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to improve salaries and working conditions for our members
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to secure their employment as well as economic and social welfare
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to improve knowledge and expertise at all levels of society
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to campaign for equal rights and wages for both men and women
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to secure and develop the welfare state and its common values
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to develop cooperation and alliances at national and international levels
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to secure a competitive public sector with salaries that attract and keep highly qualified staff
Education is the key to development and innovation in Norway. Our most important resources are the knowledge, expertise and commitment of our population. We strive to further develop a society based on these resources, and to be the confederation most responsive to the needs of those with higher education.
Unio negotiates with employers and governmental authorities on behalf of our members.
Our member unions:
Union of Education, Norway
148,909 members among teachers/pedagogues in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, universities and colleges.
Norwegian Nurses Organization (NNO)
89,992 members among registered nurses, midwives, specialist nurses, public health nurses and nursing students.
Norwegian Association of Researchers (NAR)
17,430 members among employees in academic, administrative and library related positions at universities, colleges, research institutions, museums and in the public administration.
Norwegian Police Federation (NPF)
12,534 members among employees from the police force, leaders and civil staff.
Norwegian Physiotherapist Association (NPA)
9,238 members among publicly certified physiotherapists and students.
The Norwegian Association of Occupational Therapists (NETF)
3,422 members among occupational therapists, and students who are studying to become occupational therapists.
Union of University and College Graduates
2,937 members among administrative personnel with a minimum of three years education from university or college.
The Norwegian Association of Clergy
2,593 members among clergy and theologians. The Association has its own Department of Continuing Education.
504 members among the country's leading professionals within tax auditing and assessment of Norwegian industry’s tax and VAT obligations, on behalf of the authorities.
The Norwegian Association of Deacons
485 members among deacons and diaconia candidates. Most deacons in Norway are employed as permanent deacons in the Church of Norway. Some of the members are engaged in the health and social work of the state or that of the Church.