The Icelandic fishing fleet, with the exception of the inshore sector, has gone on strike after negotiations between the Icelandic Seamen’s Union (SSI) and owners’ federation SFS (Iceland Fisheries) failed to come up with deal that satisfied all parties.
While unions and employers did reach an agreement on a number of issues including fish pricing, seamen’s representatives left the negotiating table without an agreement on manning levels for fresher trawlers and pelagic vessels.
SSI has been concerned that crewing levels on these vessels are now so low that any further cuts will compromise safety.
With no agreement in place, the strike commenced at 2300 on 10 November. It is estimated that it extends to 3,500 crewmen and there is no indication as yet of how long it could last.
