The negotiation committee of Efling vis-à-vis the association of municipalities has postponed its strikes as of tomorrow, March 25, 2020. The postponement applies to all members of Efling working for Kópavogur, Seltjarnarnes, Mosfellsbær, Hveragerði, and Ölfus. The negotiation committee made the following statement:The covid-19 epidemic has led to great uncertainty in all parts of society, also in the institutions where our members work. In this situation we think it wisest to postpone strikes until the epidemic has passed. We have talked to our members about this decision and take it with their support.We would never accept anything less for our members in Kópavogur, Seltjarnarnes, and elsewhere, than the improvements provided in the agreements made with Reykjavík city and with the state. We are prepared to strike again when the epidemic has passed and our members share our resolve. We have also received a declaration of decisive support from our members in Reykjavík city. We are prepared to return in full force after a few weeks, possibly with a harder strike than hitherto.The municipalities were informed via letter of this decision. The strike is postponed as of 00:01 tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and Efling members in the relevant municipalities can then start their work as normal according to their current hiring terms.“Our members mostly work on fundamental services and care and they understand very well what an epidemic means for society. They have shown responsibility in the one that we’re now living through, for example by giving broad exemptions,” said Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, head of Efling.“The municipalities, however, have chosen to use the epidemic in a very petty way to hinder talks. That is to their great discredit. Their insolence doesn’t change the fact that our members in Kóapvogur and other municipalities will get their just improvements,” Sólveig added.
