ASÍ candidates say union split cannot be ruled out

The two candidates for president of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) say internal conflict could lead to a split, but both believe they can ease tensions and channel disagreements through democratic processes, mbl.is reports.

Arnaldur Grétarsson and Georg Páll Skúlason discussed the disputes within the labour movement in the latest episode of Spursmál. A new president will be elected at an ASÍ congress later this month, when Finnbjörn Aðalvíkingur Hermannsson leaves the post.

Deep disagreements have emerged among leaders of several of ASÍ’s largest member unions. Relations between Halla Gunnarsdóttir, president of the VR union, and Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, president of the Efling union, are reportedly completely frozen.

Arnaldur says he can help resolve disputes

Asked whether he could step into the dispute and help the VR and Efling presidents make peace, Arnaldur said he believed he could.

He said the labour movement’s history included many examples of serious disagreements being resolved. ASÍ had democratic tools to address disputes, he said, and strong opinions should not paralyse the confederation’s work.

Arnaldur said clearer chairing of meetings and the proper use of meeting procedures could help. Members also needed to set clear boundaries for themselves and others and ensure those rules were respected, he said.

Georg says there is no magic solution

Georg said he had no magic solution to get the VR and Efling presidents talking. Disagreements of this kind were not new to the labour movement, he said.

ASÍ is a grassroots movement where representatives of different unions meet on its central board and need to work together on issues where they can find common ground, Georg said. Some disagreements could be resolved, while others might be so deep that decisions on particular matters had to wait. The key was to handle disputes democratically, he said.

Georg agreed that clear meeting procedures were important. He referred to his experience chairing ASÍ’s two most recent congresses, which many considered among the most difficult in the confederation’s history. One had to be adjourned and resumed later.

When discussions reach that point, Georg said, it is important to enforce the formal procedures decisively and work towards cooperation and dialogue. At the same time, the rights and independence of member unions must be respected and the interests of the labour movement as a whole protected.