Atle Tranøy, shop steward and union convener in Aker companies for decades, is now approaching retirement age, and thus stepping down. He has recently resigned as Group Trustee in Aker ASA, Chairman in Aker GWC, and appointed representative in the board of directors in Aker ASA.
He will continue for some time in a role that involves counseling and community contact etc. He still holds several positions in different organisations, for instance in the federal board of Fellesforbundet.
Atle started his career as an industrial plumber at the shipyard Aker Stord in 1976. He was engaged in politics (far left), and after a while he became a shop steward.
He has been a full-time shop steward since 1983 (for 40 years), most of this time as a group union convener.
The so-called “Aker model” means that the collaboration between management and trade unions (and authorities) are taken a step further in Aker, compared to what is usually called “the Norwegian model”.
This means that the company will facilitate a functioning and well-organized network of shop stewards, originated from the individual club/association, but with an overall structure that coordinates the work, across companies and national borders.
Furthermore, management will have confidence in this system, and make use of shop stewards and union conveners, as important reference points, not only in relation to their own members, but also in relation to society and the political landscape.
Aker GWC is an example of such collaboration. European labor legislation ensures the right to establish an EWC (European Works Council) in companies that have operations in several European countries.
In Aker, this has been taken a step further, meaning that shop stewards in companies outside Europe have also been included, in what we call the GWC (Global Works Council).
This, as well as the important global framework agreement GFA, formed in a long-term perspective, is largely Atle Tranøy’s work. But it also illustrates the company’s openness and willingness to collaborate with the employee`s representatives.
Atle is also a recognized shop steward and debater outside his own company. The many years as a union convener provides him with large contact area in the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) as well as in the political life.
His rhetorical and analytical abilities, and long-term thinking, have achieved recognition among employees, management, and political circles alike.
This has in turn produced results. Not least has the contact with political environments proven to be important, the trade union movement can play a key role in society if they know their way around.
Back in 2007, when the company structure was scattered and threatened by foreign takeover, Atle was crucial in the preparatory work that made the Norwegian government buy a 30% share in what became known as Aker Kværner Holding.
Prior to the deal, Atle Tranøy and Atle Teigland met with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and used their influence in LO and in various political circles to convince the government about the deal.
At the same time, this had to be sounded and balanced in relation to the company and the principal owner. It wasn`t easy but they made it through.
And for the next 10-year period, this state owned shareholding arrangement had a stabilizing effect on the ownership structure and investments in Aker Solutions.
When the pandemic swept the world in 2020/2021, it put a serious damper on the willingness to invest. This acted upon the important oil and gas industry as well, which alone accounts for 50% of Norwegian exports and 25% of the government’s income.
It was therefore critical for the country’s economy and our ability to get through the crisis that this business did not stagnate.
Proposals were then launched by the industry itself, with Aker and Atle Tranøy at the forefront, to stimulate the oil industry, by changing the tax regime and offering deferred tax, to lower initial costs of oilfield development.
Initially, the politicians took little interest in this plan. On the contrary, there was a lot of contradictions and objections from youth parties as well as the environmental movement. The important initiative was in danger of losing its momentum.
Again, parts of the trade union movement, and perhaps especially Atle Tranøy, played a key role. In meetings initiated by Tranøy, with LO’s management and with Jonas Gahr Støre (now the prime minister in Norway), the proposals from the oil industry and Aker were explained and defended, and eventually this secured the necessary support in the Parliament.
The so-called tax package has proved to be a success, we are now experiencing a wave of investment decisions and assignments, generating high activity in the North Sea throughout the entire ten-year period.
The energy crisis in Europe due to the war in Ukraine, has subsequently shown us the importance of the energy and the energy industry with regards to democracy and security.
During the past ten years, Aker Solutions, Aker Horizons and other Aker businesses has taken important steps towards sustainable energy and environmental neutral energy solutions. This has been done in close collaboration and support from the trade unions.
Atle have had a pro-active role in this, and coordinated support for a project called Green Industry 21, involving scientists, economists, climate activists, other unions, as well as the industry itself. Resulting in an extensive report pointing towards e.g. ocean wind as a sustainable energy source. As a spin-off, we got Couples therapy for oil workers and climate activists, a lecture tour, debates, and book publishing.
The move towards sustainable energy is an opportunity to re-use design and know-how from the offshore oil industry to create and run large wind turbines in open waters.
In 2022, Aker deployed the worlds largest floating windfarm at the Statfjord oilfield outside Bergen, based on Akers “Condeep” technology, developed in the 70s and 80`s.
At the same time, after more than 10 years of research, Aker Horizons / Aker Solutions now construct and install several full-scale Co2 capture facilities.
And again, Atle Tranøy and the trade unions in Aker has played an important role.
We say well done, Atle, and we promise to continue the good work!
