History and general information
The Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine was established in September 1990, however, it continues the rich history of the teachers’ trade union movement in Ukraine whose origins date back to the beginning of the 20th century. The first national teachers’ union was set up in 1919 and underwent several reorganisations during next 70 years.
On 17 December 2020, the 9th Congress of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine took place. For the first time in the Trade Union’s history the Congress was carried out online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however this did not prevent lively and fruitful debates. More than 160 participants joined the online event.
Due to active mobilization of Ukrainian trade unions and massive solidarity support from international trade union movement during 2019-2020 anti-workers draft laws that liberalize labour legislation and restrict trade union rights and their participation in social dialogue at all levels were postponed or rejected.
On November 14, a trade union protest action against the cuts in existing rights of workers' and for decent living conditions was held near the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. About five thousand trade union activists from all regions of Ukraine took part in the rally to make their voice heard
On October 22, 2019, the first meeting between social partners, the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine and the new leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Innovations took place in premises of the Ministry of Education to discuss urgent issues in education and the ways to effectively solve them.
On the World Day for Decent Work trade unions all around the world mobilise to stand up for the provision of decent work for all workers.
On November 1, after the protest actions organised by trade unions throughout Ukraine on October 9 and 17, President of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine Georgiy Trukhanov had a meeting with Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Pavlo Khobzei in the building of the Ministry of Education.
On October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, trade unions organised an all-Ukrainian protest action in Kyiv.
In December 2017 the State Budget 2018 is to be passed in Ukraine. The draft budget does not fully satisfy the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, TUESWU, nor other trade unions of Ukraine, in particular with respect to the social and economic welfare for workers.
At the beginning of September 2017 the Parliament of Ukraine passed the new law of Ukraine on education. For several months the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine had been lobbying to prevent curtailing of teachers’ rights in the new law.