VR Chair Elected to UNI Europa Executive Committee
31. March 2025Halla Gunnarsdóttir Elected to UNI Europa Executive Committee
Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Chairperson of VR, was elected as the representative of the Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) to the Executive Committee of UNI Europa—the European trade union federation for service and retail sector workers—at a conference held in Belfast from March 24 to 27. This marks the first time a representative for Iceland has held a seat on the committee.
At the 6th UNI Europa Conference, more than 600 union leaders from across Europe gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of UNI Europa and to shape the future direction of the federation. The Executive Committee is responsible for setting the strategic direction of this major federation for workers in the private services and retail sectors across Europe. The committee includes ten representatives from the Nordic countries, and Halla is the first representative from Iceland to be elected.
“It’s important for the Icelandic labor movement to take part in discussions on the situation of wage earners in Europe, and it is an honor for me to now hold a seat as the first representative from Iceland on the UNI Europa Executive Committee,” said Halla. “There is a somber tone among our sister organizations across Europe these days—conflict and the rise of extremist political forces are impacting all international cooperation. But there is also strong determination among people and a deep will to further strengthen the unity of working people. A powerful labor movement is absolutely essential for the continent.”
Members of the Executive Committee come from across UNI’s European membership and include representatives from UNI Europa’s sectors, as well as from women’s and youth groups. UNI Europa represents around 7 million workers in the service and retail sectors across Europe.
At the conference in Belfast, UNI Europa adopted its strategy and action plan for service sector unions over the next four years. These actions underscore the importance of trade unions playing a strong role in defending the interests of wage earners. Key focus areas include just transitions, legislation to protect human rights, technological changes, the fight against yellow unions, growing concern about the rise of the far right in Europe, and a call for peace.
Halla’s candidacy and election reflect LÍV members’ emphasis on strong cooperation among retail unions in the Nordic region and across Europe. Participation in the Executive Committee gives Iceland a voice in the international cooperation of European unions in the general labor market. In addition to LÍV, both the Association of Technical Staff and the Union of Financial Services Staff are members of UNI Global Union, to which UNI Europa belongs.