Both the Norwegian Workers' Confederation and Parat have broken off negotiations with NHO Service and Handel on a collective agreement for security guards. This means that mediation will take place. The Norwegian Workers' Confederation organizes over 4,500 security guards. Advance payment of sick pay and increased purchasing power are among the points the parties were unable to agree on. Increased purchasing power and changes to the weekend supplement were among Parat's demands that were not met. - When the employer also rejects the demand for advance payment of sick pay, we had no other choice but to break, says Parat's negotiator Lars Petter Larsen. The requirement for tariff fixing of advance payments of sick pay, care benefits and parental benefits is the reason for the break, says negotiation leader Laust K. Poulsen for NHO Service and Trade. – We have great understanding for employees who have to wait weeks for sick pay from Nav, but that is where the problem lies – and it is at Nav that it must be solved, says Poulsen. (NTB)