Uniting for a stronger future: UNI Europa workshop in Iceland

UNI Europa and three Icelandic federations – FTR-RSI, LIV and Samiðn – brought together trade unions from several different UNI sectors in Reykjavík on 21-22 January to build unity and learn more about UNI’s work.

The meeting gathered around 25 union leaders, board members and youth representatives from sectors including commerce, finance, ICTS, graphical and packaging, hair and beauty, and media, entertainment and arts.

UNI Europa’s affiliates took centre stage on the first day, with in-depth sessions on their strategic objectives and key activities, paving the way for collaboration in areas such as gender equality and health and safety. They also learnt about UNI’s objectives in the sectors on a European and global level and how workers in Iceland can engage and benefit.

The meeting helped to identify areas for cooperation among the federations, particularly in the fields of organising, collective bargaining and regulatory advocacy.

Iceland is facing the twin challenges of a rise in freelance workers and an increase in the number of self-employed workers across the sectors. This is particularly applicable in the film and tech industries, where union density is lower. UNI representatives shared experiences in helping affiliates to reach out to these workers, and how to adapt to their particular needs, especially when it comes to pay structures for workers without a regular income.

Jakob Tryggvason, President of FTR-RSI, which initiated the workshops, stressed: “This workshop has been a significant milestone in strengthening our engagement within UNI Global and UNI Europa. It has provided us with the tools and shared strategies needed to address the challenges our members face, while also amplifying our voice in shaping the future of union work across our sectors. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we are better equipped to meet the needs of freelance workers and ensure unions remain a cornerstone of worker representation.”

While union density is high in Iceland and collective bargaining the norm, UNI led discussions on how members can become activists to participate in European and global structures, such as works councils, and promote workers’ interests on the national and global level. UNI also explained its campaign for responsible public procurement and public funding to protect workers surrounding AI, which can apply to Iceland.

The event concluded with a forward-looking session on developing a “whole union” strategy, reinforcing the presence and actions at every workplace through denser web of shop stewards. The unions are committed to step-up cooperation among the different union federations working together for continued growth and innovation in union renewal.

Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, concluded: “Unions in Iceland set a benchmark for collective bargaining, covering over 90 per cent of the workforce in the services economy. Their strong tradition of solidarity is a powerful example of what unions can achieve when they work together. This workshop underscores the critical role unions play in securing fair wages, decent working conditions and a stronger voice for workers across Europe.”