The Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association has voted to authorise a potential work stoppage, though its chair is clear that no strike has been formally declared yet.
Talks between the air traffic controllers and Isavia, the country’s aviation authority, wrapped up yesterday with the state mediator at the table. Arnar Hjálmarsson, chair of the Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, said progress in negotiations with the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (Samtök atvinnulífsins) has been slow going.
Another round of talks is scheduled for tomorrow. Hjálmarsson struck a cautiously hopeful tone, saying the two sides are not that far apart — but they haven’t landed on an agreement yet.
Given the stalemate, the controllers have drawn up a set of possible work stoppage actions, and members backed them by a wide margin in the vote. Nothing has been officially announced, but the negotiating committee now has the option to call a stoppage if talks break down.
According to RÚV, if a work stoppage does go ahead, it would likely begin in November and run into December. Hjálmarsson declined to give specific dates for now.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that air traffic controllers have been working without a contract since the start of the year — a fact that puts real pressure on both sides to reach a deal.
