Former organist seeks nearly 3.9 million krónur from church

A former organist at Siglufjörður Church is seeking nearly 3.9 million krónur in alleged unpaid wages. The case was heard by Iceland’s Court of Appeal on Monday, mbl.is reported.

The dispute centres on whether the organist’s position should have increased from 32 per cent to 56.67 per cent under a collective agreement. He has worked at the church since 2007, and his position has been 32 per cent since 2012. He argues that a calculation table attached to a 2020 collective agreement entitled him to the higher share.

The church disputes the claim, saying his pay should reflect the work he actually performed. It says there were fewer church services and choir rehearsals than specified in his job description.

The District Court of North East Iceland dismissed the claim in June last year, finding that it was not clear the calculation table alone entitled the organist to higher pay. It also said the evidence did not clearly establish all aspects of his job description.