The negotiating committee of primary school teachers and the negotiating committee of the local authorities in Iceland signed a new one-year wage contract yesterday, granting teachers a pay raise of their basic salaries by 15 to 23 percent.
Their basic salaries can thus increase by ISK 50,000 to 60,000 (USD 680 to 816, EUR 436 to 524) per month and the local authorities are prepared to contribute with additional ISK 1.2 billion (USD 16 million, EUR 10 million) this year to make that happen, Fréttabladid reports.
The pay raises will be executed in three phases, the first taking effect on June 1.
“This contract is for one year and that is acceptable,” said Ólafur Loftsson, chairman of the Association of Primary School Teachers. “Teachers, depending on their age and tasks, can expect their salaries to increase up to 23 percent this year. Most pay raises will take effect in the first seven months.”
Head of the negotiating committee of the local authorities Karl Björnsson said because of the additional cost for local authorities the priorities of other projects will have to be rearranged.
“We know what the economic situation is like. Salaries are diminishing and that means many people will have to make new priorities and reassess their situation,” Björnsson said.
Click here to read more about the economic situation affecting salaries.
