Employees in the workplace elect their shop stewards for a term of two years. Elections are held in consultation with VR, and the shop steward receives confirmation of his election and power of attorney from VR. Workplaces with five employees or more can elect a shop steward. If there are more than 50 employees, two shop stewards may be elected. Workplaces with 120 or more can elect three shop stewards.
Election of shop stewards
If you would like to arrange an election at your workplace, contact VR’s service centre by phone at 510 1700 and VR employees will assist you.
Collective agreements and law do not contain specific instructions on the election of a shop steward, but it is considered desirable that a written, secret ballot be held at a previously announced time so that everyone entitled to vote can do so. To ensure that the election is conducted correctly and confidentially, a VR representative must supervise the election. When the election has concluded, the choice of shop steward is submitted to the union’s Board, which confirms their election. A letter confirming this is sent to the company and to the shop steward.
If only one employee is nominated for the role of shop steward, they are elected unopposed. If there is more than one candidate, an election shall be held between the candidates.
Important information regarding the election process
- The employer receives an announcement from VR inviting nominations for the position of shop steward at the company.
- The employer assists VR by publishing the announcement to VR members employed by the company.
- All nominations must be submitted in writing by email before the nomination deadline to trunadarmenn@vr.is.
- The nomination period is from one week up to 10 days and ends at noon the day before the scheduled election. Date on the announcement.
- If nominations are received, those individuals will be contacted if a sufficient number of nominations has not been received.
- Please note that the date on the announcement for the scheduled election is a guideline. That date may be moved if further information is needed to set up the election. However, the nomination deadline is always based on the scheduled date.
The person elected fills out a form from VR containing information about the workplace, when the election took place, and the name, phone number, and email address of the shop steward. The form is submitted to the VR Board for approval.
Further information will be supplied by the shop steward contact persons, email: trunadarmenn@vr.is