Fólkið seg loysti úr bondum (The people broke free from their shackles) (part I) - from 1925 to 1960

In this first part of the history of Føroya Arbeiðarafelag (The Faroese Workers Union), the history of the international labour movement is first accounted for, as well as how this movement made its way to the Faroe Islands. FA (The Faroese Workers Union) was established in 1925, but had a difficult start and initially struggled to achieve any significant political influence.

In the late 1920s, more labour associations emerged, and things very much began to pick up speed in the 1930s when several female labour associations were founded. Times were harsh, but major issues, not least the struggle for cash payment for wages, helped the FA gain more support and greater influence in society. While there were several setbacks, things were slowly but steadily progressing.

During the war, further labour associations were established, and the FA did not hesitate to state it clearly to the British occupation and the Faroese Parliament whenever they believed that workers were being treated unfairly. After the war, the FA was given increasing responsibility for negotiating for its affiliated associations.

Tú mennist í hvørjum av stríðnum (You always learn in the struggle) (part II) - from 1960 to 1990

In the 1950s, times became worse, and the FA participated in the great general strike in 1951. The FA also attempted to negotiate during the fishing strikes and during the major conflict that took place after the termination of a Danish doctor at the hospital in Klaksvík. The FA also experienced major internal disputes regarding the matter of whether or not the Faroese workforce should unite with the Danish labour unions. By the end of the decade, both labour associations in Tórshavn cut ties with the FA. The future of the FA therefore seemed uncertain by the time the 1960s arrived.

Although the labour associations in Klaksvík would also withdraw from the FA in the early 1960s, there was less conflict, making it easier to get work done. There was some dispute between the FA and the labour associations in Tórshavn and Klaksvík regarding dividing lines, as well as disputes concerning large construction companies around the country, but with Gunnar Petersen leading the way, the FA grew in strength.
The FA improved its internal structure and placed emphasis on working towards shortening the work week and lengthening the time off for holidays. The matter of equal pay was also brought up, and the FA demanded that all women and men should be considered equal in the workforce, despite internal disagreements concerning this matter.

In the late 1970s, greater emphasis was placed on strengthening the relationship with labour unions abroad, and this direction was headed by Ingeborg Vinther when she became the chairwoman of the FA. Other important matters during this period were workers’ safety and union representatives at the workplace. The workers responsible for unloading fish in Fuglafirði regularly made their voices heard.

Throughout the 1980s, female workers were regularly in the spotlight. There was now equal pay, but not without significant conflict. The women working with drying fish in Tvøroyri finally became members of the FA, but the dispute surrounding the matter of equal pay resulted in the women in Vági leaving the union for a time.
There were also several strikes as well as disagreements with the other labour associations, but the FA remained a prominent presence in the public discourse. The working conditions of Faroese workers improved significantly in the 1980s, not least after long strikes, but by the end of the decade it was clear to everyone that they were facing rough times ahead.

Alt ber slítarans fingramerki (Everything bears the toiler's fingerprint) (part III) - from 1990 to 2025

When the financial crisis of the 1990s began, the Faroese workers were left with the bill. The labour associations tried to protect their members despite the period being characterised by massive unemployment and emigration. ALS (the public employment service) was founded, and the FA tried to demand improvements. Nevertheless, people in general were dissatisfied and the labour associations decided to unite in forming a labour movement, Verkamannafylkingin. By the end of the decade, things had turned around and salaries began increasing.
The first decade of the new century began with long strikes that led to significant improvements for Faroese workers. Emphasis had been placed on ensuring that members of the labour associations had access to a good pension as well as life insurance. The relationship between the FA and the other labour associations and the Trade Union of Fishermen gradually improved, and this improved relationship resulted in the labour association collaboration, Samtak.

The second decade of the new century saw no workers’ strikes, but the labour associations loudly protested the plans of the centre-right coalition of the Faroese Parliament to tax incoming payments for pensions, and the planned reorganisation of the fishing industry by the subsequent centre-left coalition resulted in a lot of turbulence within the FA. The times were good overall, but the labour associations accused employers of using the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine as an excuse not to offer sufficient pay increases for workers. In 2024, the dissatisfaction reached its high point, and a long strike took place. The collaboration between the labour associations seemed to strengthen, and a collaborative campaign between the associations titled Verkafólk was established in 2025.

The present is very different from 1925, when the FA was founded. The FA has taken on many areas of responsibility from the other member associations, and while some want to strengthen the FA even further, others want to move in a different direction. As a result, the FA finds itself at a crossroads now on its 100th anniversary.

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This three-part work is available in bookstores and on Sprotin.fo for 700 kr. Members of FA (The Faroese Workers Union) can purchase it for 350 kr directly from the union.

About the author
Helgi Eidesgaard (b. 1985) is a historian with a special interest in the history of the Faroese labour movement. In 2017, he published the book Til arbeiðis! Lív ella deyð! (To work! Dead or alive) about the first 100 years of Havnar Arbeiðarafelag (Tórshavn Workers Union).

Since 2019, he has been teaching history and cultural studies at Glasir Tórshavn College."