More unions contemplate strike action

The Icelandic Union of Commercial and Office Workers (VR) and the Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) are the latest in a series of associations to announce industrial action. Talks with State authorities to resolve wage disputes collapsed yesterday.

“Little progress has been made towards a resolution and there appears to be little prospect of agreement. […] We therefore unfortunately see no alternative but to hold a strike ballot,” reads a joint VR-LÍV press statement. The two associations total some 35,000 members.

The ballot is expected to open in the second week of May and strike action, if approved, could begin at the end of the month. VR has already approved a ISK 2 million (approx. €13,650) contribution to its Industrial Dispute Fund, to be used as financial assistance for members losing income through industrial action.

Iceland is already being affected by a strike of the Iceland Association of Academics (BHM) and large-scale industrial action by the Icelandic Professional Trade Association (SGS) begins tomorrow.