Strikes are postponed and more optimism in the negotiations

“This is a conclusion taken jointly by the Efling Union negotiation committee because we believe we can make progress here this weekend,” says Efling chairperson Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir after it was announced that the negotiation committees of Efling and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise had reached an agreement on postponing the ongoing strikes.

Article on Iceland Monitor

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Ástráður Haraldsson, the acting state mediator, says the parties are moving towards the end of finalizing a deal this weekend.

Asked if she is optimistic that a deal will be reached at that time, Sólveig Anna says the negotiation committee is acting with great will and that she believes that talks “will continue to push forward” to the right conclusion.

Believe they are making good progress

Morgunbladid reported yesterday that the prerequisite for further talks, by SA, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise, was that the strike be postponed.

In an interview with mbl.is yesterday, Sólveig said a suspension of strike action would not be possible unless “something real comes from the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise”.

When asked, Sólveig Anna would not reveal what made the negotiation committee agree to a strike’s postponement.

“What I’m willing to say is that the Efling negotiation committee would not have reached this conclusion unless we believe that we are making good progress.”