SGS next to strike?
Photo: Ómar Óskarsson
The Icelandic Professional Trade Association (‘Starfsgreinasamband Íslands’ – SGS) has announced the possibility of a full-scale general strike for the end of April and May.
Second attempt
Following a Labourt Court ruling invalidating a previous ballot, SGS will be holding a new ballot on Monday of next week. If approved, the strike will involve over 10,000 members of SGS and its members associations and will majorly affect many workplaces through the country.
Mininum wage increase
SGS’s main demand is an increase in Iceland’s full-time minimum wage from just over ISK 200,000 today to ISK 300,000 (approx. €2,040) within three years. In justification of this demand, SGS points to the high profits posted by various Icelandic companies and the wage-rises enjoyed by some of the highest earners in society.
“We are ready for a long battle”
“People are angry,” explains Director of SGS, Björn Snæbjörnsson. “Rising food prices and housing costs make the situation untenable for working people, who are simply unable to support their families. […] The general public recognises that ISK 200,000 is not an acceptable full-time wage. […] We hope that industrial action can be avoided. Strikes should always be the last resort. But our members are steadfast and we are ready for a long battle.”
