Efling and Association of Enterprises in Welfare Services reach landmark agreement on nursing home working conditions in Iceland

A new agreement has been reached between Efling, a union representing workers, and the Association of Enterprises in Welfare Services regarding the working conditions at nursing homes. This pivotal deal aims to improve staffing levels at these facilities to reduce the pressure on employees. The agreements were signed shortly after midnight and will be retroactive from April 1 of this year, extending for four years. They cover approximately 3,000 staff members at nursing homes and similar institutions in the capital region and Hveragerði.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health are tasked with delivering funded solutions to address staffing shortages by April 1, 2025. If this timeline is not met, Efling has the right to terminate the agreement with one month’s notice starting May 1. Reports from Efling members have highlighted severe understaffing and stress levels, substantiated by data from a 2021 working group led by Gylfi Magnússon.

This contract is unique as it is specifically tailored for nursing home staff, a significant shift from previous arrangements where their contracts followed those with the state. The agreement also includes the introduction of new job titles for team leaders, which will enhance salary conditions for staff in highly responsible roles. Furthermore, staffing for home care services will align salaries with similar roles in municipalities.

Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, chair of Efling, expressed pride in this achievement, emphasizing the importance of addressing staffing issues that affect not only union members but also the broader community, including residents and families connected to Icelandic nursing homes. Efling will inform its members about the contract, with a vote scheduled to conclude on October 16.