New ASÍ president calls for unity despite differing views

Georg Páll Skúlason, the newly elected president of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), says he wants greater unity within the organisation while accepting that members will hold differing views, he told mbl.is.

“That is entirely normal. People have different priorities,” he said, referring to a policy document drawn up by 300 delegates from across the country and from all parts of the labour movement. He said debate was inevitable but that ASÍ should make the most of its collective strength.

Skúlason said the decisive factor in his election was the breadth of support he received across the movement, rather than the formation of a bloc.

He hopes that all three women running for vice-president will serve on ASÍ’s central board after the congress, and said a strong board would be important.

Efling has raised the possibility of leaving ASÍ, to which it is directly affiliated. Skúlason said the decision rests with Efling, but argued that the union and ASÍ are much stronger together. He said his experience in organisations outside ASÍ had shown him the effect that being outside the federation could have on collective bargaining.

In his victory speech, Skúlason said the ASÍ president could not act alone in representing workers. He called for a strong group of vice-presidents and central board members to work with employees, and said the union’s leadership faced many challenges. He thanked delegates for their trust, his election rival Arnaldur Grétarsson for a fair campaign, and outgoing president Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson for his leadership.

He urged the congress and the labour movement to stand together for workers and conclude the congress with dignity.