An emergency meeting of parliament has been called in order to stop Air Mechanics from going on strike over their contract negotiations
An emergency meeting of parliament has been called in order to impose a law stopping air mechanics from going on strike over their collective bargaining negotiations, reports RÚV.
Air mechanics held a 24 hour work stoppage on Monday and plan to go on strike again indefinitely as of tomorrow morning should an agreement not be reached today.
Parliament will be meeting in order to pass a law blocking air mechanics from going on strike. Parliament took similar measures when Icelandair pilots went on strike last month.
The law is a controversial one, as the right to strike is protected by Article 75 of the Icelandic constitution, and may only be limited “if it is necessary to a democratic society due to national security or public interest”. The legality of the ban on the strike is, therefore, subject to interpretation.
Þorsteinn Víglundsson, director of the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, told the WSJ that “the gap between the two parties is still very wide.” Currently the two sides are at odds over higher salaries and shifts. The air mechanics want a salary increase that reflects increased responsibilities following amendments to European legislation.
“The technicians are asking for far more than what we can handle,” Icelandair spokesman Guðjón Arngrímsson said. Negotiations will continue today.
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