State Mediator Aðalsteinn Leifsson has withdrawn his enforcement request to the sheriff’s office, following a meeting with Efling legal team. Vísir reports.
In the wake of failed negotiations between Efling trade union and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA), the state mediator has invoked his ability to the put the terms of the suggested deal directly to Efling members, bypassing their negotiating team. To do so, member registries have been requested from Efling, who have countered that the registry does not exist.
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Sólveig, chairperson of Efling trade union, stated recently to Vísir: “We have no obligation to prepare data that does not exist. This electoral register does not exist. […] In the District Court, an expedited hearing was requested by those who submitted this procedural request and then the subpoena. The request to expedite was approved, it took about four days in total. I believe that Efling’s request for an expedited hearing in our appeal case will be accepted. If it not, it is in my opinion extremely surprising and a sign of the inequality in our system. […] There should be a final result in this case, and until it is before us, it is Efling’s position that the electoral roll should not be prepared and delivered.”
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However, the state mediator has now withdrawn his request to enforce the order.
On February 6, the Reykjavík District Court ruled that Efling is indeed obliged to hand over the data in question. Efling chairperson Sóveig had previously stated her intention to appeal the matter, but Efling has now agreed to obey the order if the district court ruling is confirmed at the national level.
The Efling strike began Tuesday, February 7, and affects some seven Reykjavík hotels.
