Félag verslunar og skrifstofufólks (FVSA) is a trade union that works on behalf of retail and office workers. The union service area includes all of Eyjafjörður; Akureyri, Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður Siglufjörður, Svalbarðseyri and Grenivík.
The object of the union is to secure improvements in pay, benefits and working conditions through collective bargaining on behalf of its members. FVSA is a member of LÍV (The Commercial Federation of Iceland) and ASÍ (the Icelandic Confederation of Labour).
Become a member of FVSA
In Iceland about 85% of the labour are members of unions across the country. FVSA membership fees are 1% of your salary which your employer deducts from your paycheck and delivers to the union. After paying the first month of membership you are entitled to assistance from the union. Your employer pays a contribution to your membership as follows:
1% to the sick-pay fund
0,25% to the holiday fund
0,3% to the vocational training fund
To become a member of FVSA you can fill out the following application and then inform your employer of your decision to become a member of FVSA.
Office hours
Main office in Akureyri:
As a member of the union you can request assistance regarding your rights. Our service representatives in Akureyri are available during office hours which are following:
Skipagata 14 – third floor
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 08:00-16:00
Friday: 08:00-13:00
Phone: 455-1050
Email: fvsa@fvsa.is
Service in Fjallabyggð – Siglufjörður
In the Siglufjörður office members of FVSA can access keys to holiday homes and submit applications for reimbursement and subsidy to the union. Other requests are redirected to the main office in Akureyri.
Eyrargata 24b
Opening hours: weekdays 09:00-16:00
Phone: 460-3620
Email: thorey@ein.is
Collective wage agreement for members of FVSA
The collective wage agreement ensures minimum terms for all employees unless special terms or company agreements are made. FVSA is a member of LÍV (The Commercial Federation of Iceland) and has made the following agreements in collaboration with them:
The current collective wage agreement is valid from 1st of February 2024 to 1st of February 2028.
Note that this is a translation, in matter of dispute, please refer to the original in Icelandic.
The current collective wage agreement with FA is valid from valid from 1st of February 2024 to 1st of February 2028.
For further assistance please visit us at the office or contact us via e-mail fvsa@fvsa.is or thelephone +354 455 1050.
Wage Tables
Here you will find the wage tables for the SA agreement
Holiday fund
FVSA union owns several holiday apartments in Reykjavík and holiday houses in Vaglaskógur, and Illugastaðir that can be rented by members all year round. During the summer the union has access to three other holiday houses around the country.
Overview of holiday properties HERE
Summer rent
The summer period is from the beginning of June until the end of August. Due to high demand members need to apply for a holiday home for the summer through the union´s website. Allocation is based on two factors; demand and membership point system (members of the union collect points for each month that they pay their membership fee).
FVSA calls for applications for summer rent early in the year and allocation takes part around March/April. After the allotment takes place the union opens up for bookings for periods still available, here the rule first comes first served applies.
Winter rent
When allocation for the summer takes place, the union´s website opens up for winter bookings. The rule for the winter is first comes first serves.
How to book a holiday house/apartment
At the FVSA website is a link to the member´s inner web where you can request/book a holiday house/apartment. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the Holiday Fund please do not hesitate to contact us at fvsa@fvsa.is or via phone +354 455-1050.
Other holiday benefits
Through the union members can apply for holiday grants (allocation applies). Furthermore members can purchase subsidized fishing- and camping cards and hotel- and flight tickets. For further information you can contact the office.
Sickness and contingency fund
The object of the FVSA sickness and contingency fund is to assist union members in case of sickness, accidents or death. Furthermore to subside preventive health measure cost for its members through grants.
If you become ill or have an accident, you are entitled to:
Grants
FVSA members earn rights to contingency grants after 6 months of paid membership, or the minimum of 8.400,- kr. In each calendar year level 1 members are entitled to grant total of up to 120.000,- kr and level 2 members are entitled to grant total of up to 40.000,- kr.
To apply for a grant you´ll need to bring a valid and dated receipt for your expenses with your name and social security number to the office. You can also send an image of the receipt to fvsa@fvsa.is to apply.
Maximum sum of grants each calendar year
Level 1: 120.000 kr. each calendar year
Level 2: 40.000 kr. each calendar year
Physiotherapy and/or physiotherapeutic massage
Grant for physiotherapy and/or physiotherapeutic massage with certified therapist is maximum 60% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 70.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 maximum 40.000 kr. each calendar year.
Cancer screening
Grant for cancer screening is maximum 85% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 11.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 maximum 5.000 kr. each calendar year.
Physical fitness
Grant for physical fitness is maximum 50% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 35.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 maximum 23.000 kr. each calendar year.
Psychotherapy
Grant for psychotherapy is maximum 50% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 100.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 hámark 40.000 kr. each calendar year.
Chiropractor
Grant for chiropractor is maximum 35% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 26.000 kr. each calendar year.
Lvel 2 maximum 10.000 kr. each calendar year.
Massage
Grant for massage is maximum 35% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 16.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 maximum 5.000 kr. each calendar year.
Glasses or contact lenses
Grant for purchase of glasses or contact lenses is maximum 35% of the bill every three years, or:
Level 1 maximum 60.000 kr.
Level 2 maximum 25.000 kr.
Hearing aid
Grant for purchase of hearing aid is maximum 35% of the bill every three years, or:
Level 1 maximum 70.000 kr.
Level 2 maximum 25.000 kr.
IVF or artificial insemination
Grant for IVF or artificial insemination is maximum 50% of the bill, or:
Level 1 maximum 70.000 kr. each calendar year.
Level 2 maximum 33.000 kr. each calendar year.
Lasik eye surgery
Grant for lasik eye surgery is maximum 35% of the bill every three years, or:
Level 1 maximum 70.000 kr.
Level 2 maximum 33.000 kr.
Rehabilitation and health clinic at Hveragerði
Grant for a stay at the rehabilitation and health clinic at Hveragerði is granted every three years.
Level 1 - 100.000 kr.
Level 2 - 40.000 kr.
Union members that need care in Reykjavik due to cancer can stay in a specific apartment
Union member (their spouse or children up to the age of 18) that are diagnosed with cancer and need treatment in Reykjavík van stay and a specific apartment owned by the union for up to two weeks free of charge. To book the apartment members have to contact the office.
Death compensation for active and paying members
One time compensation payment at the death of an active and paying union members is 600.000 kr. based on 100% employment ratio. Beneficiary is the deceased next of kin.
If the deceased leaves a child (adopted child) younger than 18 a compensation payment for each child is 800.000 kr. based on 100% employment ratio, to the person that really and truly supports the child.
To apply for death compensation please fill out this form.
Grants for pensioners
Pensioners hold rights for grants from the contingency fund for seven years from the last payment to the union. Pensioners have rights to a grant based on their payments towards the union for the last 12 months of their career.
A funeral grant for pensioners is up to 150.000 kr. To apply for a funeral grant an application has to be filled out. Beneficiaries to the union member are entitled to the funeral grant for seven years from the member´s last payment to the union.
Disability pensioner
Disability pensioners hold rights for grants from the contingency fund for two years from the last payment to the union. Disability pensioners have rights to a grant based on their payments towards the union for the last 12 months of their career.
A funeral grant for disability pensioners is up to 150.000 kr. To apply for a funeral grant an application has to be filled out. Beneficiaries to the union member are entitled to the funeral grant for two years from the member´s last payment to the union.
Exemption
The fund´s board is authorized to give grants to union members that have retired more than two/seven years before their death. (Up to a maximum of 150,000 kr. if certain conditions are met). An application for such a grant must be accompanied by a tax return for the previous year.
Vocational fund
FVSA members that earn salary equal to or higher than the initial salary of a salesperson earn rights to a 180.000 kr. grant from the vocational fund each calendar year. For those that do not reach the initial salary the grant is calculated based on membership payments made by the applicant. To be eligible for the grant membership fees need to have been paid for at least 3 months of the last 12 months, thereof 1 month of the last 6 months. All rights to the fund are forfeited if dues have not been paid for the last 6 months.
Grant information
Vocational grant is maximum 180.000 kr. each calendar year. Condition for all grants is that the fund member himself pays the education fees.
If you have not applied to the fund in the last three years but have paid member´s fees for 30 of the last 36 months, you are entitled to ammassed grant that covers 90% of study fee of up to 540.000 kr. for one continuous study.
The vocational fund covers the following studies and courses:
Vocational studies have to be job related, proof is required. You can also apply for courses in building self-confidence and job related executive coaching, max 12 hours each calendar year.
Travel grant (Ferðastyrkur) is for travel expenses. You can apply for the grant when travelling between your place of domicile and the place of the course, seminar or conference, if the distance is a minimum of 50 km. The Travel grant is an independent application. If you are going to apply for „the travel grant“ an application for „Vocational training grant“ has to be submitted first. If the course, seminar or conference is free of charge, a confirmation of registration has to be included in the travel grant application. In that case, an application for „Vocational training grant“ is not needed.
Leisure grant (Tómstundastyrkur) is for Icelandic personal interest course. Conditions for hobby grant are that the course is open for everyone, has a clear start andan end date and an instructor.
Documents nedded to apply:
Vocational grant:
Travel grant
Leisure grant
For further assistance please contact the office.
Key words and helpful links
Alþýðusamband Íslands (ASÍ) = The Iclandic Confederation of Labour
Samtök Atvinnulífsins (SA) = Confederation of Icelandic enterprises
Useful websites:
Pension fund Q&A: https://www.lifeyrismal.is/en
Iceland online public service: https://island.is/en
Directorate of Labour: https://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/en
Active Vocational Rehabilitation: https://www.virk.is/#
Administration of Occupational Safety and Health: https://www.vinnueftirlit.is/english