Airline Dispatchers To Strike

The Icelandic Air Dispatchers Association (FFM) will be holding a temporary work stoppage starting this September 11.

Valdimar Pétursson, the chairperson of FFM’s negotation committee, confirmed for Vísir that the work stoppage will take place on the finally dates and times:

September 11: 7:00 to 19:00
September 14: 7:00 to 19:00
September 18: 7:00 to 19:00
September 20: 7:00 to 19:00
September 25: 7:00 to 19:00
September 28: 7:00 to 19:00

The main grievance from the workers concerns wages – in particular, that their proposed wage increase is not in harmony with the wage increases of other Icelandair employees. For example, according to the collective bargaining agreement airline pilots signed last May, they can expect an 8% pay rise. Airline dispatchers will receive only 2%.

Valdimar points out that the job of an airline dispatcher is complex, involving oversight of the taking off and landing of planes, ensuring they have enough fuel, coordinating maintenance of the planes and the times airplanes spend on the ground.

In all, there are nine airline dispatchers working for Icelandair.