Wage negotiation meetings between six unions and the Icelandic Confederation of Enterprise (SA) continued until 11.00pm yesterday, RÚV reports. Though talks continue this morning, scheduled bus driver and hotel worker strikes will proceed as planned.
Bus drivers on routes 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 28, 35, and 36 parked their vehicles between 7.00-9.00am this morning and will do so again between 4.00-6.00pm this afternoon in a rush-hour strike that will continue throughout April – unless unions and SA reach an agreement. According to public transportation provider Strætó, the strikes will affect some 15,000 commuters, who will have to find other bus routes or opt for other modes of transport to reach their destination.
A three-day hotel workers’ and bus drivers’ strike will begin on Wednesday unless talks prove successful. VR and Efling Union members who work in these areas are also scheduled to strike April 9-11, 15-17, and 23-25, with a general strike beginning on May 1 which will stand until contracts are signed.
Wage negotiations have been ongoing since late last year. Efling CEO Viðar Þorsteinsson said talks were making progress, but refrained from making further comment.
