Efling secures collective agreement for nursing home workers in Iceland

Efling, a trade union in Iceland, has successfully negotiated a collective agreement with the Association of Institutions in Welfare Services, with 93% of its members voting in favor of the deal. This agreement, however, is contingent upon the Icelandic government presenting solutions to staffing issues in nursing homes by April 1. If the government fails to do so, Efling reserves the right to terminate the agreement.

This marks Efling’s first independent collective bargaining agreement for its members working in nursing homes, as they previously adhered to agreements with the state. The main demand of Efling’s negotiating committee was to address staffing shortages in these facilities. The agreement includes a commitment from the government to respond to these challenges by the specified deadline.

The contract is retroactive to April 1, 2023, meaning that salary increases stipulated in the agreement will be payable by the end of the month.