Strikes begin in nine schools across Iceland after failed negotiations

Strikes are set to begin tomorrow in nine schools across the country after unsuccessful negotiations between teachers’ representatives and local authorities. A meeting held today concluded without any agreement, confirming that teachers from three primary schools, four preschools, a secondary school, and a music school will walk out starting at midnight.

The strikes will last until November 22 at Áslandsskóli in Hafnarfjörður, Laugalækjarskóli in Reykjavík, and Lundarskóli in Akureyri. Furthermore, teachers at Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands and Tónlistarskóli Ísafjarðar will cease work until December 20. Teachers from four preschools—Holt in Njarðvík, Ársalir in Sauðárkrókur, Leikskóli Seltjarnarness, and Drafnarsteinn in Reykjavík—will indefinitely strike starting at midnight as well.

Magnús Þór Jónsson, the president of the Icelandic Teachers’ Association, noted that a new phase in the dispute has begun. “We have been preparing for this for some time, but unfortunately, this day has arrived. We were all hoping to avoid action,” he stated. Magnús emphasized that the pressure is now stronger not only on the negotiating parties but also on the teachers themselves, increasing the necessity to return to the negotiation table and work towards a swift resolution to minimize the duration of the strikes.