News

VR offices close at 12:00 today

News

24.09.2026

VR offices will close at 12:00 noon today, Thursday, 24 September 2026, due to a staff training day. This applies to all VR offices, in Reykjavík, Vestmannaeyjar, Reykjanesbær, Selfoss, Egilsstaðir and Akranes.

Ræktum vitið 2026 – Join in!

News

23.09.2026

Now it’s time to grow our knowledge – and we want you to take part! Ræktum vitið is a joint initiative by VR, LÍV and SVÞ that encourages employees and workplaces to invest in continuing education and lifelong learning.

What are you going to do?

News

14.09.2026

When the collective agreements were signed, workers took a significant risk by accepting modest wage increases during a period of inflation. In return, companies were expected to exercise restraint in raising prices to help bring down inflation and interest rates.

The Government Balances the Budget at the Expense of Workers

News

10.09.2026

The VR Board expresses serious concern over the Government’s budget bill, which, if left unchanged, reduces the likelihood that the collective agreements in the private sector can remain in force.

A Clear Nordic Message To Wolt

News

09.09.2026

A growing number of people have their work assignments coordinated via apps. These platform workers have no fixed workplace, and often work alone, on task-based contracts, for poor compensation, and often without labour protections.

VR Election Committee calls for candidate lists

News

31.08.2026

It has been decided that a general ballot will be held within VR to elect the union’s representatives to the 47th Congress of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) in 2026.

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.