The Icelandic Government agreed today to intervene by enacting a law banning the strike of pilots at Icelandair, Iceland's biggest carrier, citing the damaging effect of the pilots' actions to the Icelandic economy.
If the bill is passed by the parliament a new twist could arise as the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) stepped into the fray earlier this morning and declared their support for the pilots.
ITF members at some of Icelandar's destination airports in Europe will show their support by refusing to service Icelandair's planes, which means in effect they will be kept grounded.
Mediated negotiations between the carrier and the pilots union, Icelandic Airline Pilots Association (FIA), have been ongoing for months but have proven to be unsuccessful.
According to SA-Confederation of Icelandic Employers (a service organization for Icelandic businesses) the pilots are demanding a wage hike of 30 percent. Recent wage agreements in the Icelandic labour market are much lower, or below 5 percent.
Pilots at Icelandair have already staged one 12-hour work stoppage. Four more strikes were planned (May 20 6AM to 6PM, May 23 6AM to May 25 6AM, May 30 6AM to June 3 6AM). They will all be cancelled if the law is enacted and a compulsory arbitration imposed on the parties.
How ITF responds remains to be seen.
The Icelandic Government agreed today to intervene by enacting a law banning the strike of pilots at Icelandair, Iceland's biggest carrier, citing the damaging effect of the pilots' actions to the Icelandic economy.
If the bill is passed by the parliament a new twist could arise as the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) stepped into the fray earlier this morning and declared their support for the pilots.
ITF members at some of Icelandar's destination airports in Europe will show their support by refusing to service Icelandair's planes, which means in effect they will be kept grounded.
Mediated negotiations between the carrier and the pilots union, Icelandic Airline Pilots Association (FIA), have been ongoing for months but have proven to be unsuccessful.
According to SA-Confederation of Icelandic Employers (a service organization for Icelandic businesses) the pilots are demanding a wage hike of 30 percent. Recent wage agreements in the Icelandic labour market are much lower, or below 5 percent.
Pilots at Icelandair have already staged one 12-hour work stoppage. Four more strikes were planned (May 20 6AM to 6PM, May 23 6AM to May 25 6AM, May 30 6AM to June 3 6AM). They will all be cancelled if the law is enacted and a compulsory arbitration imposed on the parties.
How ITF responds remains to be seen.
