Tourism in Iceland to suffer as ten thousand workers go on strike

Fish industry, meat processing and almost all lines of rural tourism will be greatly disturbed tomorrow when ten thousand members of sixteen unions within the Federation of General and Special Workers in Iceland start on a strike at noon. The manager of the federation says that Federation of Icelandic Industries is totally responsible for the situation, but they deny to start negotiations.

Ten thousand members of 16 rural unions within the Federation of General and Special Workers in Iceland, starting on a strike at noon tomorrow till midnight, do different kinds of work in many lines. Drífa Snædal, the manager of the Federation of General and Special Workers in Iceland, says that the situation is very serious.

 "People who work in production of food, that is, fish industry and meat processing. People in tourism, cleaners, truck drivers, bus drivers and so on," Drífa says. That means that the actions affect hotels, for example, whale watching companies and other tourism companies and diners.

It is clear from your description that even though it's only half a day this time, the effect will be extensive?

 "I think that this will have an extensive effect and is already gaining attention. I'm constantly answering foreign reporters and our sister federation abroad wants to support us and get information about this. So this has a great effect, not only here in Iceland but also abroad," Drífa says.

Foreign reporters are mainly interested in the effect of the strike on tourism, greatly affecting the rural areas. If the negotiations will not be successful, people will go on a strike again for 24 hours on Wednesday and Thursday next week and again on May 19th and May 20th. Indefinite strike would then commence on the 26th of May if the negotiations are unsuccessful.

Therefore, this is a very serious situation when those 24 hours strikes start, let alone the indefinite strike.

"Of course we consider this a very situation when people have to go on a strike. So this is a very serious situation and the responsibility of the Federation of Icelandic Industries is big, refusing to talk to us and meet us halfway and making that people go on a strike. Therefore, this is our last resort and we have no other option than using it," Drífa says.

Are no meetings planned?

"A short meeting is planned tomorrow morning. But I've not heard that it will an eventful meeting," Drífa Snædal says.

The planning of the strike ahead:

30th April 2015: Total strike from 12.00 o'clock at noon till midnight that day.

6th May 2015: Total strike from midnight till midnight (the whole of May 6th)

7th May 2015: Total strike from midnight til midnight (the whole of May 7th)

19th of May 2014: Total strike from midnight to midnight ( the whole of May 19th)

20th of May 2015: Total strike from midnight till midnight (the whole of May 20th)

26th of May 2015: Indefinite strike starts at midnight at the day before May 26th 2015