The actions of Virðing and SVEIT are an attack on workers’ rights and mark a setback in their wage struggle. This is stated in the resolution of the chairmen’s meeting of the Commercial Federation of Iceland, LÍV, which condemns their actions.
“The chairman’s meeting of LÍV encourages workers as well as employers to reject this attack and boycott the companies that contribute to the collapse of the Icelandic labor market, which are confirmed to be Rok, Subway, Public House Gastropub, Hard Rock Café, and Finnsson Bistro,” says the resolution of the chairmen’s meeting, which can be seen below.
The chairman’s meeting of LÍV condemns SVEIT’s attack on workers’ rights
The actions of Virðing and SVEIT are, in the opinion of the chairmen’s meeting of LÍV, an attack on workers’ rights and mark a setback in their wage struggle. The LÍV chairmen’s meeting urges workers and employers to reject this attack and boycott the companies that contribute to the collapse of the Icelandic labor market, which are confirmed to be Rok, Subway, Public House Gastropub, Hard Rock Café, and Finnsson Bistro. Solidarity in the labor market is important when it comes to protecting the fundamental rights of workers and it should be a joint task of the social partners to ensure them.
The LÍV chairmen’s meeting condemns the attack by employers within SVEIT, the association of companies in the restaurant market, on the rights and conditions of workers in Iceland. SVEIT has established a yellow union called Virðing and prepared a “collective agreement” that includes direct wage cuts for employees in the restaurant and hotel sector. Virðing does not meet the basic requirements of unions but is an association established by employers who negotiate with themselves, rather than with employees. This classifies Virðing as a yellow union, but such unions undermine the rights and interests of workers and in effect do the bidding of employers.