On strikes in hotels and bus companies

Three sets of strikes have now been voted on: Firstly among workers in hotels, secondly among bus company workers, and thirdly among workers at Almenningsvagnar Kynnisferða, which services a part of the city bus routes of Strætó BS. All three were accepted with a large majority of ballots cast.

Why do we go on strike?

Company owners in the Icelandic tourist industry have made a lot of money in recent years, but still the working conditions and pay of workers are unacceptable. There is disrespect of workers and of their rights. Efling is demanding a minimum wage of 425,000ISK, but bosses do not want to pay it. There is a lot of pressure, long days, and a lot of extra work that is not paid. This has to change, and the strike will put pressure for it.

Weren’t the strikes ruled illegal?

The Labour Court deemed our proposals for work restrictions insufficiently clear and limited. However, the regular strikes are still happening as described below.

How will strike pay be distributed?

Those who are going on strike and have work or a shift when the strike takes place can get support from the strike fund. Wage loss will be fully compensated, based on an average of the total wages from the last six months — up to 550.000/month. A modest demand will be made for participation in strike patrolling or similar events. Those who can’t make it can be in touch with the union on April 1 and 2 for the March strike days. Concerning payments from the strike fund, the aim is to pay before Easter.

When and how will the strike happen?

The strikes will take place in the following ways:

Strætó drivers working for Almenningsvagnar Kynnisferða

On weekdays from April 1 through May 1:
- No driving from 7-9am and 4-6pm.

Regular strikes in hotels and bus companies

The following days there will be no work by Efling members in hotels and bus companies from midnight to midnight:

March 22 (1 day)
March 28-29 (2 days)
April 3-5 (3 days)
April 9-11 (3 days)
April 15-17 (3 days)
April 23-25 (3 days)
May 1 (until the strike is called off)

Read the full strike proposals

Proposal for a work stoppage at Almenningsvagnar Kynnisferða Proposal for a work stoppage in hotels Proposal for a work stoppage in bus driving

The hotels affected

Fosshótel Reykjavík	Þórunnartún 1, 105 Rvk.
Grand Hótel Reykjavík	Sigtún 38, 105 Rvk.
Fosshótel Baron	Barónsstígur 2-4, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Reykjavík Centrum	Aðalstræti 16, 101 Rvk.
Fosshótel Rauðará	Rauðarárstígur 37, 105 Rvk.
Fosshótel Lind	Rauðarárstígur 18, 105 Rvk.
Hilton Reykjavík Nordica	Suðurlandsbraut 2, 108 Rvk.
Icelandair Hótel Reykjavík Natura	Nauthólsvegur 52, 101 Rvk.
Icelandair Hótel Reykjavík Marina	Mýrargata 2-8, 101 Rvk.
Canopy Reykjavík – City Centre	Smiðjustígur 4, 101 Rvk.
Reykjavík Konsúlat hótel	Hafnarstræti 17-19, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Plaza CenterHotel	Aðalstræti 4, 101 Rvk.
CenterHotel Miðgarður	Laugavegur 120, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Arnarhvoll CenterHotel	Ingólfsstræti 1, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Þingholt CenterHotel	Þingholtsstræti 3-5, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Klöpp CenterHotel	Klapparstígur 26, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Skjaldbreið CenterHotel	Laugavegur 16, 101 Rvk.
Exeter Hotel	Tryggvagata 12, 101 Rvk.
Reykjavík Lights Hotel	Suðurlandsbraut 12, 108 Rvk.
Skuggi Hótel	Hverfisgata 103, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Borg	Pósthússtræti 9-11, 101 Rvk.
Storm Hótel	Þórunnartún 4, 105 Rvk.
Sand Hótel	Laugavegur 34, 101 Rvk.
Apótek Hótel	Austurstræti 16, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Cabin	Borgartún 32, 105 Rvk.
Hótel Klettur	Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Rvk.
Hótel Örk	Breiðumörk 1c, 810 Hveragerði
Radisson BLU Hótel Saga	Hagatorg 1, 107 Rvk.
Radisson BLU 1919 Hótel	Pósthússtræti 2, 101 Rvk.
Hotel Víking	Víkingastræti 1-3, 220 Hfj.
Hótel Holt	Bergstaðastræti 37, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Frón	Laugavegur 22a, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Óðinsvé	Þórsgata 1, 202 Rvk.
The Capital Inn	Suðurhlíð 35d, 105 Rvk.
City Center Hotel	Austurstræti 6, 101 Rvk.
City Park Hotel	Ármúli 5j, 108 Rvk.
Kex Hostel	Skúlagata 28, 101 Rvk.
101 Hótel	Hverfisgata 10, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Leifur Eiríksson	Skólavörðustígur 45, 101 Rvk.
Hótel Smári	Hlíðasmári 13, 201 Kópavogur