Two union figures seek ASÍ presidency

Two people with backgrounds in the labour movement plan to run for president of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) at its 47th congress in October, mbl.is reports.

Arnaldur Grétarsson, an anthropologist and digital media specialist who worked for ASÍ for several years, announced his candidacy earlier this month. Georg Páll Skúlason, chairman of Grafía, a trade union for workers in printing and media, is also expected to run, according to information reported by Morgunblaðið.

Georg has chaired Grafía, formerly known as the Association of Book Craftsmen, for about 20 years. In a statement, he said he was standing for president based on decades of experience working for wage earners, including in collective bargaining, union activities and leadership within the labour movement.

ASÍ president Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson announced this summer that he would not seek re-election. The leadership vote will take place on the final day of the congress, October 16, and candidates can enter the race until the vote begins.

The ASÍ central committee has proposed changes to the organisation’s statutes, including reducing the number of vice-presidents from three to one and increasing the central committee from 11 members to 13. The committee says ASÍ had one vice-president for most of its history, with the number rising to two in the early 2000s and then to three at its 2020 congress. Under the current rules, vice-presidents have no formal role beyond replacing one another when needed.

ASÍ’s current vice-presidents are Hjördís Þóra Sigurþórsdóttir, chair of Afl; Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, chair of Efling; and Halla Gunnarsdóttir, chair of VR.