Mary Antonsdóttir rejects criticism over union negotiations

Mary Antonsdóttir, chair of the Health Assistants Association of the Faroe Islands, has rejected criticism from Jákup Danielsen, KVF reports. She denies that her association tried to enlist political support instead of dealing with its collective bargaining counterpart.

The association’s agreement with the Municipal Employers’ Association (KAF) expired on 1 October last year, and negotiations have dragged on. Antonsdóttir said the situation was unusual because the Ministry of Finance had reached agreements with 12 public-sector unions without involving the other unions.

Antonsdóttir and KAF chairman Per Martin Gregersen signed a three-year agreement on 16 October. The minister of finance has not yet approved it.