70 Years Since VR Became a Labor Union
28. February 2025Congratulations On 70 Years As Labor Union VR!
At a general meeting of the Verzlunarmannafélag Reykjavíkur (aka VR) on February 28, 1955 decided to become a labor union as an amendment to its bylaws was approved, stipulating that only wage earners could be members. This marked a turning point in VR history as it officially became a labor union for wage earners, with employers leaving more than 60 years after VR was founded.
Verzlunarmannafélag Reykjavíkur was founded in 1891 by both wage earners and employers with the goal of strengthening solidarity within the retail sector. The idea of limiting VR’s membership to wage earners was first proposed at a members' meeting in 1950, when the board was urged to “prepare the division of the association so that from now on, only wage earners will remain in VR,”. It took five more years until an agreement was made and today we celebrate this milestone for VR, the largest union within LÍV.
Further details on VR website