Negotiations continue as Inga Rún Ólafsdóttir criticizes teachers’ union proposal in Iceland

Inga Rún Ólafsdóttir, chair of the municipal negotiation committee, has expressed concerns regarding a proposal from the teachers’ union, suggesting the cancellation of ongoing strikes at four preschools in exchange for the payment of wages for striking staff. These strikes, which began on October 29, are set to continue unless the municipalities respond to the union’s offer before noon on Monday. However, indications suggest the proposal will likely be rejected.

Inga Rún accuses the teachers’ union of misusing the right to strike for self-serving purposes. She emphasized that this approach undermines the essential right of workers to strike in pursuit of better compensation. “It is apparent that the union is trivializing the significant right of wage earners to halt work to achieve their demands. Strikes are intended to further the claims of union members, but this situation appears to be leveraging that right for the union’s benefit,” she stated. She further noted that the teachers’ strike fund is meant to support the wages of union members during strikes.

Today, the negotiation teams of both the teachers and the municipalities plan to convene with the national mediator. Inga Rún remains skeptical about the potential for fruitful negotiations, pointing out that progress has been sluggish and minimal over recent weeks.