Contractless and chosen for strike
All the crews of aircraft and the Coast Guard guard ship as well as the MRI’s crews have been collective bargaining since April 1, 2024, when a one -year contract expired.
In February 2023, the seafarers, captains, captains and engineers had reached agreements with the Confederation of Employers, which were concluded for ten years and are therefore long -term guarantees. Árni Sverrisson, chairman of the Association of Captains, says in a conversation with Morgunblaðið that the company has both reached agreements for all its classes in the general labor market as well as the municipalities that take care of the ports. However, agreements with the state signed in April 2023 have only been for one year. At the end of the year, permanent contracts were to be concluded, but it has not yet been successful.
On the table of state mediator
« These employees have not received the same salary increase as the general public in Iceland has received, » says Árni. « That is to say a 3.25% increase in April 2024, 3.5% increase 1 January 2025 and a table increase or rate increase now April 1, 2025. » However, he says that the issue is even more about the fact that the state and the general market have agreed on better working hours and shift incentives. They no less look at such benefits in these negotiations.
Árni says that people have begun to acid in both institutions over the fact that so long will take a solution to issues. It should be noted that the Coast Guard crews do not have a strike right as it is classified as a law enforcement agency.
« The government speaks in the other stripes about the importance of the Coast Guard to strengthen the country’s defense and maintain rescue equipment in difficult times, » says Árni. « They climb how magnificent and important these employees of Gæslan are and the importance of marine research to monitor and keep track of the stock sizes of our fish stocks. But there are cold greetings for us not to come to the table and negotiate with us. »
The case was referred to a state mediator some time ago and Árni says that people are upset over the slowdown in negotiations. The state mediator does not intend to meet much after June 17, but in July the office will be closed. Then people will have lost the case in the summer and there is no prospect that contracts will be reached soon.
Does not revolve around wage increases
Bergur Þorkelsson, chairman of the Seamen’s Association of Iceland, says there is little disagreement over wage increases, crews receive the same increases as others in the market.
« The requirement is that our people, both captains and engineers, receive either work shortages, as all other employees at both institutions have received or holiday work on weekend and customs days, » says Bergur. « If you are at sea on Saturday, you will receive one day off. Our requirement is that you are not paid with a normal day, but you get 1.8 days for working on a holiday. » Bergur says he is now waiting for a new meeting to be called. A meeting was scheduled last week, but it was postponed by the State Negotiating Committee.
Ástráður Haraldsson, a state mediator, says talks with the unions are ongoing and have been uneven, but at least they have not been terminated yet. He confirms that a new meeting has not been convened, but proposals are under review.
Proclaim work stoppage
Unlike the Coast Guard, the MRI’s crews have a strike right, but now the Icelandic Maritime Association has voted on a work stoppage for the Agency. If it is approved, the strike will take effect on August 25 or just before the beginning of a new fishing year on September 1.
Bergur Þorkelsson, chairman of the Seamen’s Association of Iceland, says he hopes that these actions will drag the parties back to the negotiating table. He also says that meetings have been repeatedly postponed and that the feeling of the seaman’s party is that the matter is not taken seriously enough.
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