A formal meeting in the Icelandair mechanics dispute ended without agreement on Friday, leaving an indefinite strike due to begin at 00:01 on Wednesday, September 23.
State Mediator Ástráður Haraldsson said there was no basis at present for a formal mediation proposal after his ideas failed to win support from the mechanics’ negotiating committee.
Mechanics’ Indefinite Strike Is Still Set to Begin at 00:01 on September 23
- Friday’s meeting was the first formal bargaining session since talks broke down on June 22.
- The indefinite strike remains scheduled to begin at 00:01 on September 23 unless the sides reach a deal.
- Icelandair has already warned that departures from Iceland on September 23 and 24 could be cancelled, and more than 1,000 passengers have moved bookings.
Passengers already changing travel plans
The failed meeting is the latest escalation in a dispute that has been running since the mechanics’ previous agreement expired. Iceland Review reported earlier this week that Icelandair plans to cancel departures from Iceland on September 23 and 24 if the strike goes ahead.
The airline has offered passengers flexibility to move affected bookings, subject to seat availability. By Thursday, more than 1,000 passengers had already changed flights because of the threatened stoppage.
The strike mandate followed an 88.3% vote in favour of indefinite industrial action. The dispute comes as Icelandair is also making changes to parts of its domestic schedule.
Ástráður said a formal mediation proposal would suspend the strike while members voted on it, but he does not currently see grounds to issue one. The situation can still change before Wednesday if the parties resume talks or reach an agreement.
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