Schools close in sympathy strike

Yesterday was a tumultuous day that will have ramifications across the entire labour market.

After a month of fruitless negotiations between the nurses’ union and the finance ministry, the government decided to step in.

Sjúkrarøktarfrøðingar í verkfalli, tingfundur um uppílegging í verkfall

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Strike reaches boiling point: frustrated nurses watch on as MPs pass legislation that undermines their right to strike

MPs were urgently called to Parliament to vote on the government’s proposal to restrict nurses’ right to strike through legislation.

 >> SEE ALSO Massive healthcare strike triggers ‘state of emergency’

The proposal was passed and, in retaliation, the nurses’ union ordered all members to stop work immediately as the strike exemptions expired.

Sjúkrarøktarfrøðingar, Landssjúkrahúsið, verkfall

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Patient safety is now at risk, says hospital leadership

Numerous trade unions decided to join the nurses’ strike in solidarity, including the teachers’ association and the Miðnám union, which covers most higher education institutions.

Selfoss, Philbrow

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Trade union leaders say the government has overstepped its bounds by intervening in the nurse strike through legislation

Other trade unions joining the sympathy strike include Starvsfelagið, Pedagogfelagið, Maskinmeistarafelagið and Føroya Handverkarafelag. Members of these unions who are not contracted with the finance ministry are not covered by the sympathy strike.

 >> SEE ALSO Nurses ready for extended strike

As far as we know, this sympathy strike has initially been announced for today only.

Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but one thing is clear: there’s no point in sending your kids to school today.

Sjúkrarøktarfrøðingar í verkfalli, tingfundur um uppílegging í verkfall

Caption: 

The Parliament building was filled with frustrated nurses and trade union leaders yesterday

Photos: Bjarni Árting Rubeksen.

Read the Faroese versions of this article here, here, here and here.

English version by prosa.fo.

More Faroese News in English.