Unions have legal authority to act as negotiating parties for wages and conditions of their members and it is illegal to be hired for wages that are lower than those put forth in the agreement.

It is of course possible to negotiate for higher wages than those stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement. It is also possible to reach an agreement with your employer to base your conditions on different agreements. Wage earners must pay 1% of their wages to their union and it is the responsibility of the employer to deduct it from wages every month.

The purpose of all unions is to represent wage earners. The emphasis within each union may vary but they all offer similar services. We encourage all workers, in every sector to familiarize themselves with their union. If you have questions, doubts or concerns regarding your working conditions or wages you should contact your union. Work places with more than 5 members in the same union should have an elected union representative or shop steward to act as an employee spokesperson.

The unions are not bound by law to provide an interpreter though they often do so. Do not hesitate to ask that an interpreter be provided.

The usual services offered by unions are:

Collective bargaining agreements for wages, work times and working conditions.
Health benefits such as sick relief funds and reimbursement for cancer screening, physical therapy, eye glasses and subsidies for loss of work due to a sick child or spouse.

Education grants for any courses or training such as in vocational areas, languages lessons and hobbies. The amount of these grants may be variable according to the length of time the wage earner has been a member, the school in question and the amount of the course fees. Some unions offer its members up to 90% reimbursement of tuition fees for Icelandic lessons.
Many unions own vacation houses, cabins and apartments that are available for members to rent. Some unions also own camp trailers for rent. Other benefits may include discounts on car rentals and hotels.

To receive more information contact:

Bandalag háskólamanna (BHM)/ Association of Academics
Lágmúla 7, 108 Reykjavik
Phone: 581 2090 www.bhm.is

Efling
Sætúni 1, 105 Reykjavik
Phone: 510 7500 www.efling.is

VR/The Commercial Workers' Union,
Hús verslunarinnar, Kringlunni 7, 103 Reykjavik
Phone: 510 1700 www.vr.is

Samiðn/Federation of Skilled Construction and Industrial Workers
Borgartún 30, 105 Reykjavik
Phone: 535 6000 www.samidn.is

Matvis/The Icelandic Federation of Food and Restaurant Workers
Stórhöfði 31, 110 Reykjavik
Phone: 580 5200 www.matvis.is