News

Would you like to represent VR at the ASÍ Congress?

News

21.08.2026

The 47th ASÍ Congress will be held from 14–16 October 2026 at the Hilton Nordica Hotel in Reykjavík. The theme of the congress is The Future of Work and the Labour Movement. The programme and Congress documents are available on the ASÍ congress website.

The Governor of the Central Bank and the Hatchet

News

21.08.2026

When the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee announced its decision on the third interest rate hike this year, it cited two main reasons for the increase in inflation. The statement reads: “The rise in measured inflation has primarily been shaped by increases in public-sector fees and the effects of the conflict in the Middle East.” That was all it had to say.

Policy rate in the spotlight at an open meeting hosted by VR, LÍV and Fagfélögin

News

20.08.2026

A large crowd attended an open meeting hosted by VR, LÍV and Fagfélögin on the relationship between policy rates and inflation on Wednesday, 19 August. The Central Bank of Iceland’s Monetary Policy Committee had announced shortly before the meeting began that it was raising the interest rate to 8%, a decision that naturally shaped both the meeting and the discussions among participants. The meeting was also streamed live on visir.is and mbl.is.

Neglect by companies and the authorities leads to the collapse of the premises of collective agreements

News

14.08.2026

The Board of VR expresses grave concern about the current situation in the labour market, now that it is clear that the premises of the collective agreements will not be met. The Board declares its willingness to engage in solution-oriented discussions with the authorities and The Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise with a view to ensuring that the collective agreements can remain in force. However, if no other solution is found, the Board of VR considers the termination of the collective agreements unavoidable.

VR appoints a negotiating committee

News

14.08.2026

At its meeting on 13 August, the VR Board approved the appointment of a negotiating committee for the collective bargaining negotiations that lie ahead this autumn. The committee consists of Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Leader of VR, Birgitta Ragnarsdóttir, Jónas Yngvi Ásgrímsson and Tómas Gabríel Benjamín.

Persistent pains

News

12.08.2026

For almost four years, interest rates have been very high in Iceland, with the aim of reducing inflation. This has not worked; on the contrary, inflation has risen over the past year. High policy interest rates hit those who are in debt, those who rent, and not least families with children, the hardest. It is now time to pause and consider whether this policy is serving its intended purpose.

A Summer Without Action

News

10.08.2026

While the attention of politicians and voters is focused on the referendum on the EU, the clock is ticking in the labour market. On 27 August, the Consumer Price Index will be published, and annual inflation will be measured at such a high level that the assumptions underlying the collective agreements will fail. For months, the labour movement has called for action and a response from both the government and companies, but without success.

Today is a day off, and tomorrow the fight begins anew

News

03.08.2026

When the Commerce Workers’ Holiday was celebrated for the first time in 1894, it marked a turning point. At that time, working people had no summer holiday, and weekends off were by no means a given.

Birth grant supports new parents

News

30.06.2026

Veronica Sjöfn Garcia is a new mother and among the first parents in VR to receive a birth grant from the union. She encourages parents in VR to make use of the birth grant, as families need additional support during this sensitive time.

VR Campsite now open

News

19.06.2026

The VR campsite at Miðhúsaskógur is now open. VR members can book a spot through the VR Vacation Website. To access the site, go to the "Availability" tab and under the drop-down menu "Select region or area," choose "Miðhúsaskógur Campsite."

Failure to Act Increases the Likelihood of Collective Agreements Being Terminated

News

18.06.2026

For a long time in Iceland, it has been argued that inflation can fundamentally be traced back to wage increases. The story is fairly simple and easy to understand: when wages rise, business owners need to raise prices, and price increases lead to inflation.

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News

16.06.2026