UPDATE, 19:05: The Grapevine has just received word that tomorrow’s strike action is postponed on account of progress in negotiations. More updates to follow as they arise.
As management has yet to make a viable offer to bus drivers and hotel workers, a new round of strikes begins tomorrow, lasting 48 hours.
These strikes will begin at midnight tonight, and cover a lot of ground. First off, Efling details that their bus drivers, in addition to striking in their territory, will also be patrolling and protecting the strike in two shifts. The union VSFK, which pertains to the greater Keflavík area, will be joining this strike.
As reported, numerous instances of illegal strike breaking by management were reported during last Friday’s one-day strike, prompting union officials to be extra vigilant.
Second, hotel workers, primarily in housekeeping, will also be striking. Efling has a detailed list of which hotels will be affected, with information on picket gathering points for striking workers.
Union officials have been working hard to inform tourists of both strikes, Vísir reports, so that visitors to Iceland do not unintentionally break the strike or support companies who do engage in strike breaking.
This new round of strikes may be one of many more to come. Efling has a strike schedule established, with rounds of 3-day strikes planned out. On May 1, an indefinite strike begins, if management does not present a viable labour contract offer by that time.
The labour dispute now depend on whether or not management brings an offer to the negotiations table that satisfy worker proposals. Workers are not only fighting for a living wage but also tax relief, rent control, and actual penalties for companies which violate labour contracts and the law.
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