GENERAL STRIKE begins midday

Iceland will be hit by a general strike of 17 member associations of the Ice­landic As­so­ci­a­tion of Aca­d­e­mics (BHM) from midday today.

Talks between the State and (BHM) to re­solve wage disputes col­lapsed yet again yesterday afternoon.

Strikers quadruple today

560 members of the association have already been on strike since Tuesday. Today the figure will rise to over 3,000. The general strike will last for four hours, from midday to 4pm (except the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, which will be on strike from 7-11pm).

According to the Di­rec­tor of BHM, Páll Halldórs­son, the next round of talks will take place on Friday. While other issues will be discussed, Halldórs­son is clear that money is the key to breaking the deadlock.

Who is striking?

The following will be involved in today’s industrial action:

• Iceland Symphony Orchestra (7-11pm)
• Icelandic Association of Biomedical Scientists
• Icelandic Association of Developmental Therapists
• Icelandic Association of Midwives
• Icelandic Association of Natural Scientists
• Icelandic Association of Occupational Therapists
• Icelandic Association of Social Workers
• Icelandic Physiotherapy Association
• Icelandic Psychological Association
• Icelandic Social Science Association
• Icelandic Society of Radiographers
• Icelandic Union of Library and Information Scientists
• Icelandic Veterinary Association
• Trade Union of Lawyers
• Union of Food and Nutrition Scientists
• Union of University Graduates
• Union of University Graduates of the Government Offices of Iceland

Related article:

Hos­pi­tal staff on strike