Vote underway for strikes in eight schools across Iceland

A vote is currently taking place regarding potential strikes in eight unspecified schools across Iceland, including four preschools, three primary schools, and one secondary school. The identities of these schools will remain undisclosed until they approve the strike vote, according to Magnús Þór Jónsson, the president of the Teachers’ Union of Iceland.

This marks a notable shift, as this is the first time they are opting for localized strikes rather than a general strike. According to Jónsson, it is now up to each individual school to decide whether to proceed with the strike. If the strikes occur, they are set to begin at midnight on October 29. While the strikes in primary and secondary schools will be temporary, the preschools will announce indefinite strikes.

The dispute primarily centers around equalizing pay between the general and public sectors. The collective agreements of member organizations negotiating with municipalities expired at the end of May. The secondary school unions, FF and FS, referred their wage dispute to the state mediator on September 26, with their agreement having lapsed since March 31. The state mediator called the parties to a meeting yesterday, with the next meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

In related news, a series of other issues continue to develop in various sectors, including transportation, healthcare, and community matters across the region.