https://themilitant.com/2019/03/30/iceland-hotel-workers-strike-for-higher-wages-better-conditions/
Iceland hotel workers strike for higher wages, better conditions
By Josette Hurtubise
Vol. 83/No. 14
April 8, 2019
March 8 International Women’s Day protest by hotel workers in Reykjavik,
Iceland, as part of a one-day strike demanding higher pay, affordable
housing and a shorter workweek.
Militant/Josette Hurtubise
March 8 International Women’s Day protest by hotel workers in Reykjavik,
Iceland, as part of a one-day strike demanding higher pay, affordable
housing and a shorter workweek.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Workers from hotels in the Reykjavik capital area
and nearby municipalities marched down Laugavegur Street here March 8,
International Women’s Day. The action was part of a one-day strike, the
first of others to come, Anna Marta Marjankowska, a board member of the
Efling Union, told the Militant.
The fight involves some 700 union members who work as cleaners,
housekeepers and in laundry services in hotels and guest houses.
They marched behind a banner saying, “We’re here! We’re striking! Get
used to it!”
Negotiations for a new contract have been deadlocked for months because
the bosses have refused to meet workers’ demands for an increase in the
base wage, affordable housing and a shorter workweek.
“With the economic boom in Iceland, revenue in the tourism industry has
matched that of fish exports. Iceland is currently the fifth largest
fish exporter in the world, and I believe tourism brings in just as much
money,” striker Stepnir Benediktsson told the Militant at the rally.
“The workers deserve more.”
Marjankowska got a good response from the crowd when she spoke at the
rally about the importance of being united, visible and heard.
“Today is about solidarity, about showing we can unite in fighting for
better working conditions,” she said. “Together we are strong, we can
change the culture where we work and protect each other.”
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