Campaign Announcement

Simplifying the Fight for Fair Wages

Dear friends and members of VR,

I have decided to run for the position of VR Chairman in the upcoming leadership and board elections in March. My aim is to ensure that the voices of VR members are heard and to work systematically towards better conditions and equality.

I worked for the union for over fourteen years, primarily as a labor market specialist, protecting VR members' rights. Additionally, I have worked as a legal advisor at Sameyki, Samtökum fyrirtækja í Velferðarþjónustu, and today I hold a position in the HR and strategy department at BYKO. This experience has given me valuable insights from both sides of the negotiation table and a profound understanding of the needs of VR members.

As Chairman, I will focus on improving conditions and ensuring equality for all members. I want to create a VR that brings together diverse voices and ensures that members of all ages feel represented and supported

Main objectives:

Establishing preschools for VR members' children aged 12-24 months.
Ensuring equal rights for members by replacing the current reserve fund (Varasjóð) with standardized allowances.
Providing pregnant members with an additional 4 weeks of paid sick leave on top of the standard entitlement.
Extending the use of existing paid sick leave for members to include not only their children but also their spouse or parents.
Continuing efforts to equalize rights between the private and public labor markets, including implementing a 36-hour workweek and 30 days of vacation for all members.
Maintaining continuous dialogue with the government and collective bargaining partners to improve the conditions of union members.

I will follow up on important initiatives that previous leaders of VR and the dedicated staff of the union have worked on in recent years. This includes, among other things, the development of housing for VR members (Blævar), improving wages for the lowest-paid workers, promoting vocational education grants, and ensuring equality in all aspects for VR membership.

I believe it is fundamental that the Chairman of VR remains politically neutral and focuses entirely on the issues concerning its members. This ensures open and transparent dialogue with the government, regardless of which political parties are in power, and prevents political views from overshadowing the interests of the members.

Dear members, the future of VR is in our hands. I seek your trust and support to take on the role of VR leader. I am passionate about creating a fair and strong future for all members and will dedicate myself fully to this important responsibility. Let us join forces – for a stronger VR and a brighter future.

With hope for your support,

Þorsteinn Skúli Sveinsson

Preschool for VR Members

Preschool access is crucial for new parents, as uncertainty about childcare options after parental leave creates unnecessary stress.

I aim to advocate for the establishment of a preschool for VR members, with funding provided by VR, a leasing company, and municipal subsidies.

With this, I aim to provide parents with security and stability during this critical stage of life and support families with children in the workforce.

The VR reserve fund (Varasjóður) has been criticized for inequality in distribution, as payments are determined by members' income.

I want to abolish the reserve fund (Varasjóðinn) and implement a fairer grant system where all members have equal access to use grants for categories such as fitness, psychological services, physical therapy, and parental support.

This ensures equality and better meets the needs of members..

I want to ensure VR members receive increased support for family life and health.

This includes additional sick leave for pregnant women, providing them with security and flexibility during pregnancy, as well as the extension of paid leave to cover the illness of children, spouses, and parents.

These changes promote work-life balance, improve members' quality of life, and support a more family-friendly labor market.

Equalizing rights between the private and public labor markets is key in the fight for fairness.

I will advocate for 30 days of paid leave and a 36-hour workweek for VR members, promoting better work-life balance, increased job satisfaction, and a fair workplace for everyone.

With these changes, we ensure that VR members receive the same benefits and rights as those on the public labor market.

Dialogue – The Key to Success

I aim to ensure regular communication with negotiation partners, the government, and VR members to improve conditions and address pressing issues.

With timely preparation for collective agreements and visible leadership, I aim to create a solid platform where the voices of members take center stage, foster stronger connections, and lay the foundation for a brighter future.

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