Aircraft mechanics accuse Icelandair of stalling wage talks

Icelandair has shown little willingness to move in wage negotiations with aircraft mechanics, according to Óskar Einarsson, chairman of the Aircraft Mechanics Association, mbl.is reports.

“It is the only option available from the negotiating partner,” Einarsson said. He said the talks had been marked by indifference and that little or nothing had happened since the beginning of the year.

Icelandair has offered a 3.5 per cent pay increase, in line with agreements reached elsewhere in the labour market. The aircraft mechanics say they are owed a considerably larger increase because they accepted reduced terms in an agreement reached in 2020, according to Einarsson.

“The consequence of that agreement is that we have fallen behind. Comparison groups we use as a reference have received pay increases of around 50 per cent during this period, while we have received approximately 27 per cent,” he said.

Einarsson said the mechanics’ proposals were intended to close that gap and bring their pay into line with the comparison groups. Based on the figures he cited, the union is seeking an increase well above those agreed elsewhere in the labour market.