The trade unions have an important role in conveying employees' views to management and also discussing differences in opinion between the employees and management. In the event of a disagreement, the employer has prerogative. Minutes of discussion meetings must be kept.
Examples of matters which the employer is obliged to bring up for discussion with the union representatives:
- Budget proposal
- Construction projects (for example, building a new floor on an existing building)
- Activity plans
- Major purchasers
In addition, matters that have not been specified must be discussed if one of the parties believes that it is important to the employees' working situation.
In some cases, a body can delegate a decision. This can happen, for example, by a faculty board authorising the dean to make a decision on a matter on behalf of the board, rather than having to call a new meeting. This authorisation does not exempt the dean from co-determination. Only the decision itself is delegated, not the entire proceeding.
See section 18 of the Basic Agreement for the Civil Service (in Norwegian only)