The second 48-hour strike of about 5,000 members of SFR Union of Public Workers and the Icelandic Union of Nurses’ Aides will begin at midnight tonight. SFR Leader Árni Stefán Jónsson told RÚV today that the strike cannot be averted.
Negotiations today were not successful although State Mediator Bryndís Hlöðversdóttir was optimistic this morning and said there was definite willingness among negotiating parties to find a solution. Today’s meeting began at 11:00 am and was over by 6:00 pm, Vísir reports. The next meeting is scheduled tomorrow at 1:15 pm in the offices of the State mediator.
Almost 160 state-run institutions will be affected by the strike.
At Landspítali University Hospital, only emergency operations will be performed. Service at health care centers will be limited and phones won’t be answered.
Stuðlar, a treatment center for teenagers, has been closed, although emergency service is open.
Most of the elderly and others who rely on home nursing will have to do without.
Classes will be canceled at the University of Iceland, except for those held at Háskólabíó cinema.
Liquor stores will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and shows at the Icelandic National Theater (Þjóðleikhúsið) will be canceled.
For more information regarding closures, please see our earlier reports, listed below.
