Election to the VR's Senior's Council

I have held various union-related positions in recent years—for example, I served as a workplace shop steward, was a representative on the VR Consultative Council for several years, an alternate board member of the Red Cross in Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær, and have also been active in a political movement, serving both on a regional party board and as chair of the Southwest constituency council during the last parliamentary elections.

Through my union involvement in recent years, I have worked on issues related to the social rights of working people, as well as others, and on general human rights—issues that still need continuous attention and advocacy.

Older people are a diverse group, not defined by any one characteristic, yet public discourse often treats us as a homogeneous group seen as a burden on the working population.

We need to be visible, continue participating, and safeguard our rights—because that benefits everyone.

I served on the VR Seniors’ Council Board from 2023–2025 and have decided to run for re-election.

It was a pleasure to be elected, and I sincerely thank those who voted for me. I didn’t fully know what I was getting into at first, but since I’ve always had an interest in social issues, I decided to give it a try. The work turned out to be very rewarding and enjoyable, and I would gladly like to continue.

There were many issues to address, and I believe there is still room for improvement, with many topics that people our age are facing. Many worry about retirement—financial concerns and housing issues seem to be at the top of the list. This feels like a never-ending discussion, and it's honestly incredible that people in their later years still cannot look forward to a worry-free retirement!

Personally, I don't think people our age are old at all, but of course, things start to break down and we need different kinds of services.

The VR Seniors’ Council is focused on advocating for the interests of members aged 60 and older, and that’s something we can do by having ongoing conversations with members:
What matters most to you? What would you like us to prioritize?

Born: June 3, 1958
Workplace: Icelandair
Occupation: Dance Instructor at Dansskóli Sigvalda (4 years), Vehicle Registration at the Icelandic Transport Authority (6 years), and at Icelandair (Office work in maintenance and technical affairs, and Training Manager – 40 years)
Education: Human Resource Management (Reykjavík University), Diploma in Business Administration (Bifröst University)
Union Activities: Shop Steward, member of the VR Consultative Council

My focus: I will be turning 67 this summer and would like to be involved in union activities within VR. That’s why I am putting myself forward as a candidate for the Seniors’ Council.

As our chairperson says: VR members are valuable—and that also applies to our older members, whether they are still working, retired, or actively engaged and full of knowledge.

The voice of older VR members matters.

We must give older VR members opportunities to grow through education and lifelong learning, provide them with guidance, and truly listen to their views. We must offer support in their key areas of advocacy and help improve their quality of life, and support them through the transition into retirement.

I am a trained carpenter and industrial operations specialist. I currently work as a purchasing representative at BYKO.

Workers’ rights have always been important to me, and for example, I once served on the board of the Carpenters’ Union in Akureyri many years ago. I have also served as a shop steward in the workplace and have always been committed to protecting the interests of wage earners. I’ve been a member of VR for decades and have consistently followed the labour movement’s fight for better working conditions.

Now, as I enter my later years, I care deeply about the conditions of fellow members who are approaching or have reached retirement age. This group is too often overlooked when it comes to workers’ rights, and that’s why I’m interested in contributing to positive change as a representative on the VR Seniors’ Council.

I am now retired from the job market and have both the time and energy to take on new challenges. I have been a member of VR for many years.

In short, I have extensive experience in management, sales, navigation, tourism, and various other fields. I have pursued advanced education and participated in a wide range of continuing education courses. I am currently studying at the School of Visual Arts in Kópavogur. I speak English and can get by in German and the Scandinavian languages.

I am interested in contributing as a member of the VR Seniors’ Council. Many people from different sectors of the job market likely know me.

I am the chair of the Fossvogur Senior Citizens’ Association, Sléttuúlfarnir.

I have experience in social and community affairs and a strong interest in issues concerning older people.

Born: August 16, 1950

Union and Community Involvement:

• Junior Chamber Akureyri – Member for 4 years
• Lions Club Hængur Akureyri – Past President for 12 years
• Chair of F.Í.K. in North Iceland for 10 years
• Chair of the Men’s Basketball Division of Þór Akureyri for 9 years – Member of the Main Board for 2 years
• Board member of MFK Iceland for 12 years – Chair for 5 years
• Active participant in the Icelandic Order of Freemasons

Employment History:

• KEA Meat Processing Plant – 28 years
• Self-employed for over 20 years
  Started working at Saltkaup / Saltkaup Nordic / Bewi Iceland in 2015

Marital Status: Married – 3 adult children
Health: In excellent condition

I served on the VR Consultative Council for decades and was one of the individuals involved in preparing the VR Seniors’ Council in the form it exists today.

I believe that VR should warmly welcome its members as they enter retirement, offer courses for them, and provide support in every possible way. I will do my utmost to promote these goals.

I was born on March 30, 1952, and have worked in retail my entire life, alongside a career as a musician.

I was born in 1957 in Vestmannaeyjar. I am retired and currently live in Garðabær. I am married and have three adult children.

Since 1976, I have worked in various retail and office positions. In the early years, I mostly worked in grocery stores. In 1994, I started working at the electronics store HG Guðjónsson in Suðurver and remained there until the owners sold the business. For a few years afterward, I worked as a support staff member in a school.

After completing office studies at the New Computer and Business School, I worked for Tölvumyndir and later Anza. From 2003, I worked in household appliance sales—first at Johan Rönning for about eight years, then at Eirvík for about two years.

From April 2013 until I retired on December 1, 2022, I worked in sales at Smith & Norland.

I am socially active and involved in humanitarian organizations. I was very active in the sports club my children were involved in during their upbringing and took on many challenging tasks there.

I am in good health and regularly engage in physical exercise and walking.

I have decided to run for a seat on the VR Seniors’ Council Board, as I believe my experience can be of value. My main priorities are to support the advocacy for older people’s interests, improve their quality of life, and work toward more diverse housing solutions.

I worked for over thirty years in international aviation, mainly in flight operations and technical departments. Alongside my career in aviation, I have held various trusted positions, including: Chair of the Wage Guarantee Fund Board for seven years, member of the Culture and Tourism Committee in Hafnarfjörður, supervisor of tourism and guiding in Skálholt, alternate board member of the National Broadcasting Service (RÚV), board member of the Consumer Association of Iceland, as well as numerous other positions of responsibility.

For the past nine years, I have worked in tourism and provided services for children with special needs.

I have three adult children and five grandchildren. I have actively participated in school activities (as a class representative) and in parental involvement within youth sports during my children’s upbringing.

I am grateful to everyone who would like to support me in my candidacy for the VR Seniors’ Council Board.

I spent the majority of my career working as an upper secondary school teacher, both outside and within the capital area. I have decades of experience in various union and community roles. I also served for many years as a shop steward at a large workplace in Reykjavík. I have held positions on the boards of various organizations, served on both the board and negotiation committee of a trade union, and have been involved in organizing a range of conferences and courses—both short and long.

I hold university degrees from Iceland, Germany, and Australia in the fields of chemistry, German, education, and public administration. I currently work as a specialist in the field of education.

The role of the VR Seniors’ Council is important in light of the current status of older citizens in society. VR is doing valuable work by inviting this growing group in Iceland—those aged 65 and older—to have a voice in advocating for the issues most relevant to them. I am interested in being part of that work and believe I have something to contribute to making the valuable work of the Seniors’ Council and VR even stronger.