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🇮🇸 Iceland /Economy & Trade

Icelandair, Pilots' Union Meeting Ends Without Agreement

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A meeting between Icelandair and the Association of Icelandic Airline Pilots (FÍA) concluded without an immediate resolution.
  • Icelandair presented significant proposed changes to the collective bargaining agreement.
  • The mediator described the discussions as difficult but constructive, with concrete proposals made.

A crucial meeting between Icelandair and the Association of Icelandic Airline Pilots (FÍA) concluded late Tuesday evening without an immediate agreement, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain. The meeting, which began at 7 p.m. in Karphúsið, lasted for two and a half hours.

This proposal was followed by a detailed presentation and then we had conversations separately.

— Ástráður HaraldssonDescribing the process after Icelandair presented its proposed changes.

State mediator Ástráður Haraldsson reported that Icelandair put forward substantial proposals for revisions to the collective bargaining agreement. These proposed changes were described as comprehensive, involving a review of numerous points discussed in previous sessions. Following a detailed presentation of these ideas, separate discussions were held.

Representatives from FÍA requested time to review Icelandair's proposals thoroughly. Haraldsson stated that he does not know how long this review will take and that no decision has been made regarding the next steps. "We will just stay in touch to decide when we will meet again next," he said.

We will just stay in touch to decide when we will meet again next.

— Ástráður HaraldssonRegarding the next steps in the negotiations.

Haraldsson characterized the meeting as "good" despite the difficult issues at hand. He emphasized that the dispute is not about distributing lottery winnings but rather about navigating a challenging situation, which inherently makes the process more complex. "That's why I naturally have no idea how this will end," he added.

This dispute is not about distributing lottery winnings but rather about navigating a challenging situation, and that is inherently more difficult. That's why I naturally have no idea how this will end.

— Ástráður HaraldssonExplaining the complexity of the labor dispute.

Despite the challenging nature of the dispute, Haraldsson noted that the meeting was conducted constructively, with participants listening to each other. He confirmed that "concrete" proposals were presented, which he hopes can be addressed soon. When asked if he was optimistic about the progress, Haraldsson responded, "I am always positive. I work at it."

I am always positive. I work at it.

— Ástráður HaraldssonResponding to a question about his optimism regarding the negotiations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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