Efling Union has referred the company’s collective agreement dispute with Sorpa to the State Mediator. The special collective agreement in force with the company expired on March 31, 2024. Negotiations on a new collective agreement began in mid-November with the Hlíf trade union.
According to Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, chairwoman of Efling, the Efling and Hlíf negotiation committee considered that the negotiations were going well. “We believed that we had settled all issues and even expected that the agreement would be signed before Christmas. Then, however, a message was received from Sorpa that the CEO of Sorpa, who had not participated in the negotiation meetings, refused to accept the results of the negotiations.”
Sólveig Anna says that this came as a great surprise to the Efling and Hlíf negotiating committees. She says it is unheard of that negotiating committees do not have the authority to conclude negotiations, but that this is the responsibility of the CEOs of individual companies. “When we contacted a party from Sorpa’s negotiating committee and wanted to continue the conversation to finalize the matter, we were told that we could book a meeting with the managing director. I have heard and seen many things in negotiations, but that union negotiating committees are told to book an appointment with the CEO, is absurd. Therefore, the Efling and Hlíf negotiating committees decided to refer the dispute to the State Mediator. A meeting will be called there soon. I just hope that the CEO will attend.”