Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir has been re-elected chairperson of Efling Union. Sólveig resigned as chair of Efling less than four months ago amid allegations of bullying and serious workplace issues from Efling staff. Three former staff members sued Efling earlier this week before the Reykjavík District Court, in part for the newly-elected chair’s behaviour, Vísir reports.
Efling is the second-largest workers’ union in Iceland, with members working in public service, healthcare, and other industries. The union’s election concluded last night, with Sólveig Anna’s “B List” receiving just under 54% of the vote. The B List received a total of 2,047 votes, while Ólöf Helga Adolfsdóttir’s A List received 1,434 votes, and Guðmundur Jónatan Baldursson’s C List received 331. Eighty-eight votes were ruled invalid. A total of 3,900 Efling members voted in the election, or 15% of the union’s 25,842 eligible voters.
“It was an incredibly hard election campaign, I have to say that, and the fact that we have won despite the incredible accusations that have been levelled at us, is in my opinion absolutely amazing,” Sólveig told RÚV reporters when the results were announced last night. She expressed gratitude to voters for their trust and stated there is be a lot of work awaiting her as the union’s next chairperson.
Sólveig faces allegations of misconduct
The election campaign was plagued by reports of staff unhappiness, bullying, and misogyny under Sólveig Anna’s tenure. A report released during the campaign found that Efling spent close to ISK 130 million [$1.04 million; € 909,063] on personnel-related matters during Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir’s four-year tenure as chairperson. Forty out of 50 of the union’s employees (80%) resigned from their positions during the same timeframe.
On Monday, three former employees of Efling sued the union before the Reykjavík District Court for alleged breaches of the wage agreement and reprehensible conduct of Sólveig Anna and Viðar Þorsteinsson, Efling’s former managing director, who is expected to return to his position following the election results. Sólveig Anna has denied all allegations of misconduct and has stated that her focus will be to serve the union’s members.
