The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASI)
The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASI) is the most representative confederation in the private sector with a membership count of around 93.000, which amounts to two thirds of the national labour force. It is built up of trade unions of general workers, office and retail workers, seamen, construction and industrial workers, electrical workers and various other professions. These trade unions are affiliated to 5 national federations which in turn are affiliated to ASI. In addition, there are 7 national unions which are directly affiliated to ASI. Trade unions belonging to ASI represent almost exclusively workers in the private sector, but some of their members are also employed by municipal authorities and the state. Some unions have members who work in the public sector but these unions negotiate for those members under the TUI Act.
The Confederation of State and municipal employees (BSRB)
The Confederation of State and municipal employees (BSRB) is the most representative confederation in the public sector and their members are 22.000 of which 2/3 are women. The union members work in the fields of customs, police, fire resistance, health care, pre-schools etc. The member trade unions are 26 and are all directly affiliated to BSRB. The trade unions negotiate for members working in the public sector under the CAPS Act and those working in the private sector under the TUI Act.
The Association of Academics (BHM)
The Association of Academics (BHM) is an umbrella organisation for trade unions of academics that consists of 11.000 members. Each member-union represents workers with particular qualifications or professions such as psychologists, lawyers, architects and musicians. The member-unions preserve the right to negotiate collective agreements for their members but BHM assists the member-unions in many fields and represents academics and member-unions in common causes. The majority of the members to the affiliated unions work in the public sector but a part of them work in the private sector hence the unions negotiate both under the CAPS Act and the TUI Act.
The Icelandic Teachers’ Union (KI)
The Icelandic Teachers’ Union (KI) is a joint organisation for all teachers, head teachers, deputy head teachers, and student counselors, in preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, upper secondary schools (with the exception of head teachers in upper secondary schools) and music schools. With 10.000 members, the Icelandic Teachers’ Union is among the largest professional organizations in Iceland. The majority of its’ members work in the public sector, but a part of them work in the private sector hence the union negotiates both under the CAPS Act and the TUI Act.
