News - 12.03.2024

SA brings damage to society rather than listen to a small group of low-wage workers

Statement from the VR Negotiations Committee

VR's Negotiations Committee condemns the decision of the the Icelandic Confederation of Business (SA) to start a vote on a lockout against office workers within VR. Voting on a lockout is a violent reaction to the self-evident demands of a small group that works according to the minimum rates for Icelandair's passenger services at Keflavík Airport.

The front-line staff in Icelandair's passenger and baggage services at Keflavík Airport have been trying for some time to bring about changes in their conditions and work arrangements. They work at minimum rates according to a special collective agreement that is subject to changes in accordance with VR's main collective agreement, and about half of them do not enjoy the self-evident right to continuous working hours during the winter months. In the winter, they are required to work on so-called split shifts and report there between 5 and 9 in the morning and have to return to work between 1 and 5 pm.

VR's Negotiations Committee decided at its meeting on 6 March to call for a vote on a strike among this group as little progress had been made in the negotiations with SA on the special wage agreement, and Icelandair's management had also not responded to the numerous and repeated suggestions of the staff. At the meetings of VR and SA on 11 March, with the participation of a VR shop steward, employee of Icelandair and the management of Icelandair, constructive discussions took place about solutions for this group. VR listened to and responded to SA's and Icelandair's viewpoints and submitted proposals for discussion that could contribute to a successful solution. Instead of responding to VR's proposals, SA decided to focus its efforts on organizing a vote on a lockout against all office workers in VR. With the work stoppage, an attempt is being made to coerce VR and Icelandair staff in passenger and baggage services at Keflavík Airport into obedience in the name of stability. It is the position of VR‘s Negotiations Committee that workers on minimum wages will never have to carry the burden of stability. It is both self-evident and natural that compensation for a group such as this is subject to wage negotiations, regardless of the previous agreements with other unions.

If SA's lockout against VR's office workers becomes a reality, it can sideline a number of companies with serious consequences for workers and companies. The Icelandic Confederation of Business are, in other words, ready to inflict huge financial losses on society as a whole, rather than respond to the moderate demands of a small group of low-wage workers at Keflavík Airport.

VR's Negotiations Committee calls on SA to change course and work with VR to find a solution to the few outstanding issues in the wage negotiations. The committee has also directed the board of VR' Labor Dispute Fund to start preparations for payments to the individuals who will be affected by the strike.

12 March 2024
VR's contract committee