Elva Hrönn Hjartardóttir

Experience in community engagement

I have diverse experience in the labour force and have worked in the care, service, information, and marketing sectors both in Iceland and abroad. Before beginning studies at the University of Iceland in 2019, I worked in the licensing department at Actavis and as a flight attendant for Icelandair for three summers while studying. After graduating, I joined the advertising agency Sahara, but I was passionate about social issues and lobbying, so I applied for a job at VR, where I've worked since late 2019.

I've been very active in all kinds of social activities over the years. I’ve sat on the boards of student council and employee associations, taken part in all kinds of working groups and volunteered my efforts in both the Alþingi and in student politics. In recent months, I’ve been active in politics, where I've fought hard for a better society for everyone and to speak for those who have been marginalised by society. I now hope to be able to focus my energy even more within VR for the benefit of the labour union as a whole.

The social and interest positions I have held over the years include:

• Icelandic Federation of Labour (ASÍ) International Committee: Chairman.
• Left-Green Movement (VG): Board member.
• Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council’s youth working group on biodiversity.
• Executive Committee, Young Left-Greens: International representative.
• Executive Committee, Nordic Youth Council (Ungdomens Nordiske Råd): Vice representative, later main representative.
• Board of the Nordic Young Socialists (Socialistisk Ungdom i Norden): Vice chairman.
• Röskva - University of Iceland’s organisation of socially-minded students: Student council candidate.
• The Commercial Federation of Iceland (LIV): Vice representative.
• VR: Consultative Council / Shop steward.

Main focuses

• Reclaiming VR’s status as a leading force in the discussion of equality and human rights.
• An effective campaign for improved wages, working conditions and rights that results in a fair and safe labour market for everyone.
• Changing the union’s priorities in its operations and policies, with a clear overall vision and diversity among VR membership as guiding principles.
• Solidarity within VR and the labour movement as a whole.
• Empowering members to deal with changes and other challenges in the labour market.

A dynamic labour union movement, a prerequisite for prosperity

A robust, coordinated, labour movement can contribute to significant improvements in wages and working conditions as well as other social changes that positively impact workers. We’ve witnessed the power of the labour movement over the years, and more often than not, VR has been at the forefront. This is how it should be, but in order for it to remain so, it is necessary to ensure that the union pursues its members’ interests on a broad scale with the union's own inner diversity as a guiding principle.

I focus on ensuring that the important issues that VR has advocated for in recent years, such as housing, wages, working conditions, pensions and senior citizens’ affairs, continue to find support. As Iceland's largest labour union, it is no less important or necessary to raise awareness of other issues that affect our members and society as a whole and to make a concerted effort when it comes to any social issue. Among these other issues are equality and human rights, environmental issues, vocational training, industrial democracy, youth affairs, holiday and leave matters, and shortening the work week. These matters are reflected in the union members’ demands on which we are currently working during the ongoing wage negotiations.

The cooperative power of the labour movement is important in all of our work, but especially when it comes to maintaining a clear position in the relation of government and employers. The number of people who cannot live on their wages is increasing, and many aspects of our society and working environment keep people in the poverty trap. This is utterly unacceptable. Together we must ensure a fair labour market where everyone can do their part and live well on their income, both throughout their career and after retirement. With our reputation for initiative, drive, knowledge, trustworthiness and credibility, VR belongs at the forefront.

Equality and diversity enrich communities and the workplace
Iceland's largest labour union must be a leader in the battle for equality and human rights, supporting marginalised groups and seeing to it that a labour market that discriminates on the basis of gender, sexuality, origin, age, disability or anything else is a thing of the past. One thing that’s responsible for a variety of inequalities, including the gender pay gap, is pay secrecy. If a transparent and fair labour market is to prevail, pay secrecy must be eradicated. Gender-based violence and harassment still thrives in certain workplace cultures despite laws designed to prevent it. Collective strength and a change in attitude are necessary in order to eradicate this social problem, as well as encouraging education, supervision and follow-up, and establishing effective sanctions. Reclaiming VR’s status as a leading force in all discussion pertaining to equality and human rights
The establishment of a VR youth council is long overdue. Young people comprise the majority of VR's membership, but this group, taking their first steps into the economic sector, are among the most vulnerable to inequality and discrimination on the labour market. VR does excellent work when it comes to providing education for young people between the ages of 15 and 17, but it’s important that we promote further education and reach out to an even broader group of young people. Knowing the labour market, rights, and obligations is the best way for young people to empower themselves in the labour force. VR must pay close attention to young people and play a role in making their lives easier throughout different stages, such as by offering special membership when pursuing an education and support when beginning the journey into the workforce and starting a family, to name a few.

A human right, not a luxury
Having a roof over your head is a human right. The housing market in Iceland is far from fair or sustainable, and renters and buyers alike face a variety of challenges. Housing issues require Herculean efforts, and the public must be guaranteed realistic rental and buying options with an increased availability of diverse housing. A rent ceiling must be imposed in order to clamp down on rent hikes prevent profit-motivated rental associations from buying up the housing market, thereby driving up rental costs. In this respect it may advisable to examine the benefits of imposing a residence requirement like, for example, in Denmark, in order to prevent the entire housing market from falling into the hands of a few individuals. VR must be a major force in this battle and others. We must take the initiative in the tripartite cooperation between the labour movement, authorities, and employers by making the housing market what it should be: A human right, not a luxury.

The imminent climate crisis is a human rights issue. It is important that the transition to green energy and other environmentally friendly solutions be fair and take everyone into account. The large corporations responsible for the greatest amounts of pollution must take responsibility; the public should not be made to shoulder the burden for corporations’ emissions. It is no less the role of the labour movement to tackle the challenges presented by the climate crisis and to safeguard its members’ interests, keep the authorities on task, and the ensure that government measures against this greatest crisis of our time do not negatively impact workers. At the same time, it is necessary to enable the public to take part in environmental protection and green transitions. Shortening the work week is just as great an environmental issue as it is an issue of equality and welfare. With more free time, the public is more able to adopt better and more environmentally friendly habits. The authorities must keep this in mind as a guiding principle in their work with the energy transition, and we in the labour movement must be diligent in reminding them of this. This and so much more is key to a fair transition, and VR must stand on guard when it comes to these issues.

Member empowerment is paramount
Industrial democracy is commonplace in our neighbouring countries, but not here. Studies show that giving employees the opportunity to sit on the board of their company results in better dialogue, greater understanding, a smaller wage gap between different groups, greater work satisfaction, and overall better returns for the company. VR must push to make industrial democracy a natural part of working life.
The labour market is changing, and various jobs are disappearing with the advent of technological innovations. It is our duty in the labour movement to give vocational training a higher priority and to ensure that our members are away of and have easy access to continued education in order to tackle both present and future challenges. VR’s employees are doing good work in vocational training affairs, and that work must further promote the empowerment of its members.

For the benefit of the ordinary VR member
Grassroots are an important part of any struggle for a group’s interests. Because of this, I want to strengthen communications among all 40,000 of VR's members in all six areas of operations around the country. Improved communication and cooperation among all branches of the union strengthen our internal operations, thereby promoting greater solidarity within the union.

I know VR, the issues described, and the labour movement well, and I am passionate about fighting for workers' interests. With my candidacy, I want to give VR members the opportunity to choose their chairperson, as the union is built on solid, democratic foundation. I know what VR is capable of and what we can achieve with clear goals and the power of cooperation. If elected chairperson of VR, I will call for a change of priority in our work, solidarity among our members, and a clear overall vision and strategy that will benefit our members and all workers.