Minister says no government action discussed as Icelandair strike looms

Infrastructure Minister Eyjólfur Ármannsson says he is deeply concerned about a labour dispute involving Icelandair’s aircraft engineers, mbl.is reports. The Icelandic Aircraft Engineers Association has announced an indefinite strike beginning at midnight on September 23.

Ármannsson said the stakes were extremely high and that both sides had a major responsibility to use the time remaining before the planned strike to reach an agreement.

“They simply have to continue negotiating. Continue talking to each other and find a solution to this matter,” he said.

Asked whether the government had discussed taking action, Ármannsson said it had not.

“We have only discussed the situation, but not any action, no. These are two parties in the labour market that are negotiating: a private company and aircraft engineers. It is their responsibility to negotiate and reach an agreement, and that is extremely important,” he said.

Ármannsson said he hoped the negotiating parties understood the significant interests at stake.

Asked whether he was concerned about Icelandair’s position and the potential impact of a strike on the company, he said Icelandair was a strong business and that he had great faith in its employees.

He also pointed to the company’s history in tourism and said it had successfully managed difficult circumstances and labour disputes in the past.

“It is simply important that we continue strengthening Iceland’s international competitiveness in aviation. That is extremely important,” Ármannsson said.