Said to have been offered worse terms

Reykjavík City's recent group layoffs have significantly impacted members of the Sameyki union, with over half of those dismissed belonging to the organization. Kári Sigurðsson, chairman of Sameyki, stated that fifteen union members were offered new or different jobs, but these positions came with reduced pay.

Sigurðsson highlighted the tight deadlines given to employees to accept or decline these new roles. Some were given until noon the following day, while others had until the afternoon. This compressed timeframe adds to the uncertainty faced by the affected workers.

The layoffs are a result of extensive changes to the organizational structure of the city's welfare and education departments, approved by the city council. These changes led to the dismissal of 86 employees, 47 of whom are Sameyki members. Out of 32 employees offered new or altered positions, 15 are from Sameyki.

"Our feeling at Sameyki is that many people are extremely insecure in their jobs. They feel bad at work. Extremely capable people working within Reykjavík City are starting to think about moving on," Sigurðsson told mbl.is. He also noted that employees received verbal promises regarding salaries during meetings where their dismissals were announced, alongside offers for new roles. Drafts of new job descriptions were provided to the employees.

The organizational changes include consolidating service and leisure centers into a new structure focused on professional specialization and coordinated city-wide service, moving away from geographical district divisions. This affects four service centers, which will be closed as their functions are integrated into the new school and leisure department structure. Sigurðsson attended a staff meeting where city officials struggled to answer employees' questions, leaving many uncertain about the future and the operational details of the new structure. The atmosphere at the meeting was described as somber.

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Our feeling at Sameyki is that many people are extremely insecure in their jobs. They feel bad at work. Extremely capable people working within Reykjavík City are starting to think about moving on.