Bjarni Þór Sigurðsson

Union Activities and Other Work Experience

I have extensive experience in the labor market and have worked in various fields, from fishing and retail to media, marketing, and housing affairs. Among the positions I have held are:

• Media and Marketing: Sales and project manager at Vísir, product development department manager at Sýn and Vodafone.
• Housing Affairs: Specialist at ASÍ, chairman of the VR Housing Committee, board member of Bjarg and Blær.
• Union Activities: Member of the VR board since 2012, vice-chairman 2013-2017, representative in the ASÍ central board, board member of the Pension Fund of Commerce.

I have been a VR member for over 20 years and have held numerous trusted positions. I was elected to the VR Consultative Council in 2009, was a union representative at 365 Media, and a deputy board member of VR from 2010-2012.

I have been active in collective agreement negotiations and have participated in shaping the union’s policies.

Additionally, I have worked on issues related to Reykjavík City, served on the board of ÍTR, and participated in the Vesturbær district council.

My experience and work demonstrate that I have both deep knowledge of VR members’ interests and strong experience in putting matters into action.

Key Focus Areas

With my candidacy for VR chairman, I emphasize:

• Ensuring that VR continues to be a leading force in the fight for better wages and rights for members.
• A clearer division of VR into departments to ensure that the union's diverse membership enjoys fair representation.
• Strong continuing education and retraining for members in response to rapid technological changes in the labor market.
• A focus on housing issues, with an emphasis on increased security and diverse solutions for both renters and buyers.
• Equal opportunities for older employees and targeted measures against age discrimination.
• A more flexible and accessible holiday system for all.
• An internal review of VR’s operations to ensure that the union serves its members as effectively as possible.

Campaign Objectives

My goal with this candidacy is to safeguard the interests of all VR members and strengthen the union as a powerful advocate for wage earners. I want to enhance VR as a dynamic force in the fight for workers’ rights, ensuring that members’ voices are heard and lead to tangible results.

• I aim to promote secure, well-paid jobs where the working environment and the rights of members are safeguarded.
• The safety of shop assistants in their daily work must be a priority, including protection against violence and harassment.
• VR’s union representatives must be better supported, and the union’s grassroots must be mobilized to ensure broad participation and influence over VR’s activities.
• VR must have a strong voice in shaping the labor market, ensuring that wage earners have increasing influence over improving their jobs and working conditions.
• VR’s focus should be on what matters most to its members, and I will vigorously advocate for this.

Departmental Structure: VR is a large and diverse union. To ensure that all members receive fair wages and rights, I want to initiate a process of departmental structuring within VR. This process must be based on extensive dialogue with members and carried out democratically. I want to listen to members and develop an approach that best serves the union and maintains broad agreement.

Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning for Future Jobs: Continuous education and lifelong learning are key to meeting the rapid development of technological changes and evolving work environments. With increasing automation and the use of artificial intelligence, new demands will be placed on employees. To ensure that VR members maintain a competitive edge in the labor market, I want to:

• Ensure a variety of educational opportunities that enable members to advance in their careers.
• Strengthen cooperation with employers on flexible learning in accordance with collective agreements, allowing up to 16 hours of study during work hours.
• Promote structured Icelandic language education for employees of foreign origin, enabling them to fully participate in society.
• Offer courses and training that prepare members for the jobs of the future and support those who wish to change career paths.

Housing Issues

Secure housing is a fundamental need and a human right. Families should be able to rely on having a roof over their heads, whether they choose to rent or buy. To ensure stability and fairness in the housing market, it is necessary to increase the supply of housing and create real solutions for first-time buyers.

I will work to ensure that the government fulfills the promises made in the last collective agreements and implements the necessary housing development without delay. Additionally, I want to promote an affordable ownership system for first-time buyers, where individuals can own from 50% of an apartment and link it to the shared equity loan system. Such a solution could drastically change the situation for young people and first-time buyers in the housing market.

Facts show that the labor movement can have a decisive impact on the housing market. At the initiative of VR and other unions, Bjarg Housing Association has already built over 1,100 rental apartments and initiated a new chapter in the history of nonprofit rental housing in Iceland—following Nordic models.

In the fall of 2023, another step was taken when VR and Blær Rental Association began construction on 36 rental apartments in Úlfarsárdalur, which have already been allocated to VR members. This marks the beginning of a new housing policy, where the union itself actively participates in creating better options for members.

I have been a leader in housing issues within VR as chairman of the union’s housing committee and ASÍ’s housing committee, in addition to serving on the boards of Bjarg and Blær. My experience has taught me that a diverse housing system—where private ownership, rental apartments, and social housing work together—is key to a healthy market.

My objectives are clear:

• Secure realistic solutions for first-time buyers.
• Continue the development of affordable rental housing in collaboration with Bjarg and Blær.
• Work to reduce interest costs for those who build and finance housing.
• Increase balance between the rental and ownership markets, with a special focus on young people and older individuals looking to downsize.

With a clear strategy and direct actions, we can build a better housing market for all VR members.

Age Discrimination and Issues of Older Members

As life expectancy increases and people maintain good health for longer, the labor market must adapt and ensure that individuals aged 50 and older have the same opportunities as others. Age discrimination is a real challenge that excludes valuable experience and knowledge from the labor market.

Technological changes and rapid development have, in some cases, reinforced the notion that older individuals struggle to acquire new skills. This idea is both outdated and harmful. VR must take a stand and ensure that all members, regardless of age, have equal opportunities for lifelong learning, career development, and job security.

I will work to ensure that:

• VR becomes a leader in the fight against age discrimination in the labor market.
• Lifelong learning and retraining for those 50+ become a viable option for VR members.
• The position of older members in job searches is strengthened with specialized counseling and measures.
• Older members receive stronger support in housing, pension, and rights issues.
• Pension reductions are reviewed with the interests of members as a guiding principle.

Older employees are valuable to the labor market and society as a whole. VR must safeguard their rights and ensure they receive the same opportunities for career development, secure housing, and pension benefits.

VR’s Holiday System

The holiday system is an important part of the social rights of VR members, but it needs to evolve to meet changing needs. I want to ensure that more members benefit from VR’s holiday system with a wider range of options and increased accessibility.

I will work to:

• Increase the number of VR-owned holiday homes over the next four years to meet growing demand.
• Provide more holiday options, such as subsidies for hotel stays and other travel expenses, with clear limits to ensure fairness for all members.
• Introduce gift vouchers and partnerships with the tourism industry to offer members more opportunities for discounts and subsidized trips.

With these actions, VR will ensure that the holiday system is fair, flexible, and accessible to all members, regardless of their location or family situation. More people should be able to enjoy holidays on fair terms.

Making the Most of the Time Before Wage Negotiations

Preparation for the next collective bargaining agreements is crucial. To achieve the best possible agreements for VR members, a strategic approach and thorough preparation are necessary. I will ensure that members' voices are heard and that VR’s demands reflect their real needs and desires.

I will work to:

• Strengthen dialogue with VR members to ensure that demands are based on their wishes and interests.
• Conduct professional analyses of the labor market and wage developments so that VR is well-prepared at the negotiation table.
• Increase awareness and discussions within the union about upcoming wage negotiations so that members are informed and ready to support key demands.

Strong Leadership for VR

I am running for VR chairman because I want to see the union become an even stronger force in the fight for workers’ rights. With experience in collective bargaining, housing issues, and union activities, I can ensure that VR leads the way in protecting members’ rights.

• Housing Issues: I have already been involved in the development of affordable rental apartments and want to secure more realistic solutions for members.
• Strong Advocacy for Rights: I have decades of experience in wage negotiations and know how to achieve results for members.
• Stronger Support for Union Representatives: VR’s union representatives must be better supported, and members must have a clearer voice within the union.
• Equal Opportunities for All: Whether it is first-time buyers, older workers, or people of foreign origin, VR must protect everyone’s rights.
• A Better Holiday System: I want to increase the number of holiday homes and offer more flexible options so that more members can enjoy their holiday benefits.

I have not only talked about solutions—I have implemented them.
I will work for VR members with determination and strength.

Let’s use our right to vote and choose leadership that ensures VR remains a strong force for its members—both today and in the future.

Best regards,
Bjarni Þór Sigurðsson, VR Board Member