Members of the Union of Public Servants returned to work today, Wednesday, after a four day strike which began on Thursday 15 October. The strike lasted Thursday-Friday and Monday-Tuesday, with the members of the union who work on Saturdays or Sundays returning to work during the weekend.
158 government offices and agencies affected
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that negotiations are moving forward, but very slowly, meaning an agreement is not in immediate sight. If an agreement is not reached the strikes are now scheduled to resume on Thursday October 29. The local news site visir.is reports that the strike involves employees at 158 government offices and agencies.
Among those on strike are office workers and employees at the Icelandic Road and Harbour administration. RÚV reports that as a consequence updates on the web page of the administration were not updated rapidly nor were phone calls to the information hotline answered. The employees of the Road and Harbour administration will go back on strike on October 29, like other members of SFR if an agreement is not reached.
Paramedics, employees of University Hospital still on strike
Although many of the members of the Union of Public Servants who were on strike have returned to work for the time being, many are still on strike. These include members of SFR who work at the National University Hospital, Sheriffs offices, customs and the internal revenue service. The employees in question include office workers, receptionists and security guards. Paramedics are also on strike.
Páll Matthíasson, the director of the National University Hospital told the local news site visir.is that conditions at the hospital were dead serious. Transferring patients from the ER to other departments at the hospital has, for example, taken much longer than under normal conditions, causing significant disruption. Regional health clinics have remained open, but only treated people who had already made appointments. New appointments cannot be scheduled.
Members of the Union of Public Servants returned to work today, Wednesday, after a four day strike which began on Thursday 15 October. The strike lasted Thursday-Friday and Monday-Tuesday, with the members of the union who work on Saturdays or Sundays returning to work during the weekend.
158 government offices and agencies affected
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that negotiations are moving forward, but very slowly, meaning an agreement is not in immediate sight. If an agreement is not reached the strikes are now scheduled to resume on Thursday October 29. The local news site visir.is reports that the strike involves employees at 158 government offices and agencies.
Among those on strike are office workers and employees at the Icelandic Road and Harbour administration. RÚV reports that as a consequence updates on the web page of the administration were not updated rapidly nor were phone calls to the information hotline answered. The employees of the Road and Harbour administration will go back on strike on October 29, like other members of SFR if an agreement is not reached.
Paramedics, employees of University Hospital still on strike
Although many of the members of the Union of Public Servants who were on strike have returned to work for the time being, many are still on strike. These include members of SFR who work at the National University Hospital, Sheriffs offices, customs and the internal revenue service. The employees in question include office workers, receptionists and security guards. Paramedics are also on strike.
Páll Matthíasson, the director of the National University Hospital told the local news site visir.is that conditions at the hospital were dead serious. Transferring patients from the ER to other departments at the hospital has, for example, taken much longer than under normal conditions, causing significant disruption. Regional health clinics have remained open, but only treated people who had already made appointments. New appointments cannot be scheduled.
