Oslo - Norwegian police officers were to stage a brief nationwide strike Thursday in protest against regulations for working hours, the main police union said Wednesday.

The Norwegian Police Federation and justice ministry have failed to settle differences over new regulations concerning working hours and time off.

The union was also angered that they were not allowed to take part in negotiations concerning these changes.

"We don't accept this. Employees are by law guaranteed to have a say over working conditions. We have not experienced such an injustice since 1959 when police were stripped of the right to strike," union leader Arne Johannessen said in a statement.

The Norwegian Police Federation has some 11,700 members including police officers and civilian police force employees.

During the 90-minute strike due to begin at 11 am (1000 GMT) Thursday, police stations were to have skeleton staffing but switchboards were to be staffed to ensure responses to emergencies, the union said. (dpa)