The Union of Unskilled Workers, the second largest union in Iceland, has issued a statement demanding that Hard Rock Café withdraw its requirement that female staff wear dresses at work. The union, Efling, represents service workers in South West Iceland. Most workers in the tourism industry, including most hotel staff, bus drivers and restaurant employees are members of Efling.
Recent elections to the board of Efling saw a historic win for radical labor activist. The election is widely seen by Icelandic commentators as signaling a more aggressive and activist stance by Icelandic labor unions.
Read more: Landslide victory for Socialist labor organizer to become leader of Iceland's second largest union
Orders from abroad
Unti now both male and female employees of Hard Rock Café Reykjavík have worn pants and shirts, but recently the restaurant introduced new dresses for its female workers. Female employees of Hard Rock Café have been unhappy with the change, and several have lodged complaints with the union. The dresses are described as tasteless and uncomfortable.
The letter, which is signed by a lawyer for Efling, points out that it should always be up to the staff whether it dresses in pants and a shirt or in dresses, and that gender specific dress codes are a violation of rules on gender equality.
The manager of Hard Rock Café Reykjavík told the National Broadcasting Service that the change to the staff dress code came from the international corporate headquarters. The company will respond to the letter from Efling on Friday.
The Union of Unskilled Workers, the second largest union in Iceland, has issued a statement demanding that Hard Rock Café withdraw its requirement that female staff wear dresses at work. The union, Efling, represents service workers in South West Iceland. Most workers in the tourism industry, including most hotel staff, bus drivers and restaurant employees are members of Efling.
Recent elections to the board of Efling saw a historic win for radical labor activist. The election is widely seen by Icelandic commentators as signaling a more aggressive and activist stance by Icelandic labor unions.
Read more: Landslide victory for Socialist labor organizer to become leader of Iceland's second largest union
Orders from abroad
Unti now both male and female employees of Hard Rock Café Reykjavík have worn pants and shirts, but recently the restaurant introduced new dresses for its female workers. Female employees of Hard Rock Café have been unhappy with the change, and several have lodged complaints with the union. The dresses are described as tasteless and uncomfortable.
The letter, which is signed by a lawyer for Efling, points out that it should always be up to the staff whether it dresses in pants and a shirt or in dresses, and that gender specific dress codes are a violation of rules on gender equality.
The manager of Hard Rock Café Reykjavík told the National Broadcasting Service that the change to the staff dress code came from the international corporate headquarters. The company will respond to the letter from Efling on Friday.
