The government of Iceland decided at a cabinet meeting today to present a parliamentary resolution to bring the protest actions among air traffic controllers, a ban on overtime work and training new recruits, to an end.
Minister of the Interior Ólöf Nordal told RÚV that this is an act of emergency. The disputing parties, air traffic controllers and Isavia, have still a long way to go in reaching an agreement on the wages of air traffic controllers.
Ólöf is currently in discussion with opposition leaders in resuming parliament so that the resolution can be passed.
The government also decided to give the parties to the wage dispute an extension until June 24 to reach an agreement and otherwise appoint an arbitration court to determine the wages of air traffic controllers.
The wage dispute has been in a knot for quite some time, with the overtime ban in effect for two months, causing disturbances to both domestic and international flights and the travel plans of 200,000 passengers.
According to SA – Business Iceland, air traffic controllers are requesting a salary increase of 60 percent.
