Planned strike against Eimskip vessels cancelled

A strike that was set to disrupt Eimskip’s cargo ships Dettifoss, Brúarfoss, and Selfoss has been called off, Faroese broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Jónas Garðarsson, chair of the negotiating committee at the Faroese Seamen’s Union, told Morgunblaðið that Eimskip claims to be an Icelandic company, not Faroese. The union is now awaiting confirmation of Eimskip’s status, as Icelandic collective bargaining agreements do not cover Faroese unions. Garðarsson warned that if no agreement is reached with Eimskip, a new strike notice will be issued.

The cancelled strike had been scheduled to begin at midnight and last until around April 15. Labour disputes have been ongoing since the start of the year.

In a statement to Morgunblaðið, Eimskip described itself as an international transport company headquartered in Iceland, operating in 20 countries. Its Faroese subsidiary, Faroe Ship, owns cargo vessels registered in the Faroese international ship registry. Icelandic unions have existing agreements covering crew on these Faroe Ship vessels.