Efling and its fellow unions in wage negotiations have accepted the basic framework of a wage agreement with the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA). Members of the negotiating committee of Efling – union met with the leaders of the Confederation last night in the office of the State Mediator to discuss the essence of the talks of the past few days and the basis for consensus which has recently been formed. This basis was formed through rigorous debate in the past few days between, on the one hand, Efling and its fellow unions, VR, LÍV, Framsýn, VLFA and VLFG and, on the other hand, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA).After having consulted the union members, the president of Efling decided to cancel strike actions and begin work on finalizing the agreement. That work will commence today, and a response from the government will be sought, as its involvement is a vital prerequisite for the signing of the agreement when the time comes.“The outcome of these talks is not an ultimate victory but a line of cease-fire between the working class and the class of capital owners. The struggle between them continues. I am glad to have formed a basis for closing a deal after long and arduous negotiations,” said Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir. “Our union members will of course have the last word on whether they will vote for the contract or vote against it. But I think that with this contractual basis we’ve managed to meet our union members’ demands for wage increases.”Viðar Þorsteinsson, managing director of Efling said that sparks flew during the final moments of negotiations. “Here the pressure created by our strike actions, the solidarity of our members and the great sympathies which we’ve felt in society for the demands of Efling and our fellow unions were all essential,” said Viðar.Efling is now preparing a plan for a presentation of the coming contract to the union members, in union meetings and with introductory publications. The substance of the discussions is still confidential.
