Association of Academics
Organisation of 25 trade unions
Association of Academics - Bandalag háskólamanna (BHM) - is the icelandic organisation of trade Unions of Academics, the smallest three main organisations of icelandic employees. At present there are 25 member-unions in BHM, consisting of more than 9.000 employees. To be admitted to one of the member unions an applicant must have completed an university program of at least 3 years duration.
Most of our members are employed by the state, municipalities and other public entities. The fast growing private sector has however in the last few years increasingly employed academics from BHM ranks.
The three largest member-unions of BHM is the Icelandic Nurses' Association, The Icelandic Union of Natural Scientists, and the Association of University Teachers. Mid-wifes, Psychologists and Veterinarians are among those with the longest academic education (6 years).
The member-unions themselves preserve the right to negotiate collective agreements for their members but BHM assists the member-unions in many fields and speaks for academics in common causes.
BHM handles several sizeable funds - the largest being the Vacation Fund of BHM, an educational fund and two relief funds (one for public sector employees, the other for private sector employees).
