Strikes begin tomorrow in nine schools across Iceland as teachers and municipalities fail to reach agreement

Strikes are set to begin tomorrow in nine schools across Iceland as negotiations between teachers and local municipalities ended without a resolution. Teachers at three elementary schools, four preschools, a secondary school, and a music school will walk off the job at midnight.

The Icelandic Teachers’ Association and the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland held discussions throughout the day, but a consensus could not be reached. Following this setback, it was confirmed that strikes will commence in the following institutions: Áslandsskóli in Hafnarfjörður, Laugalækjarskóli in Reykjavik, and Lundarskóla in Akureyri, which will last until November 22. Furthermore, teachers at Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands and Tónlistarskóli Ísafjarðar will strike until December 20.

Additionally, teachers at four preschools—Holt in Njarðvík, Ársalir in Sauðárkrókur, Leikskóli Seltjarnarness, and Drafnarsteinn in Reykjavik—will initiate an indefinite strike at midnight. The legality of the strike announcement was upheld by the courts in favor of the teachers.

A follow-up meeting between the teachers and the state is scheduled for tomorrow, while another meeting between the teachers and the Association of Local Authorities will take place on Wednesday. This strike action signals ongoing tensions in the education sector in Iceland, as both teachers and local authorities continue to seek an agreement on key issues.