Efling demands improvements in wage negotiations with Employers’ Association in Iceland

Today marks a crucial meeting in the wage negotiations between Efling, a trade union, and the Employers’ Association of Welfare Services. If an agreement is not reached, Efling plans to initiate strike actions. The union’s chair, Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, is demanding improvements to the staffing model that has been inadequate at nursing homes for the past decade, resulting in excessive pressure on workers.

Sólveig Anna expressed on a morning broadcast that this staffing issue directly affects the quality of care and daily life for the elderly residing in these facilities. Efling has been reviewing reports about the state of nursing homes over recent years, all of which confirm complaints from union members. She emphasized that the operational model of these institutions needs significant changes, and that the Employers’ Association must approach the funding sources, including the state and the Ministry of Health, to seek increased funding.

In anticipation of potential strike actions, Sólveig Anna reassured that Efling is committed to ensuring that the care conditions for residents remain safe and are not compromised by any industrial actions. The union is exploring various methods to implement the strike without endangering the residents of the nursing homes.

As negotiations continue, the situation remains tense, with many watching closely for developments that could impact the welfare of vulnerable populations in these facilities.