Trade Union Organization Research Articles

The Scientific And Technological Research Capacity Of The Vietnamese Trade Union And Some Issues Raised

In the context of globalization and the rapid development of science and technology (S&T), enhancing S&T research capacity has become a crucial factor for organizations, including the Vietnamese Trade Union. The role of the Trade Union is not only limited to protecting workers' rights but also requires active participation in research and application of S&T to help improve working conditions, increase production efficiency, and enhance the lives of workers. However, the S&T research capacity of Trade Union organizations in Vietnam still faces many limitations and has yet to meet the development needs and demands of practical situations. This article assesses the current state of S&T research capacity of the Vietnamese Trade Union, identifies existing issues, and proposes solutions to improve research quality, contributing to promoting activities to protect workers' rights in the new context

Проблемы правового регулирования деятельности профсоюзных организаций

In accordance with the current labour legislation the problems of the position of trade union organisations are analysed. The norms of labour legislation of the RussianSoviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Russian Federation are studied. Attention is paid to the analysis of court decisions on the cases connected with public relations with the participation of trade union organisations.

Specifics of the Constitutional Right to Establish and Operate the Trade Unions

Introduction. In the framework of the legal regulation of the trade union activities in Russia, a number of regulations cause certain contradictions with regard to establishment of the social and labour relations. Difficulties in interaction of the trade unions with the employers and the state, supplemented by the competition with the private labour, arise the problem of preserving the institution under study as the one aimed at the formation of a system of social partnership, development of the labour environment, national economy and social equality. Therefore, the research strives to investigate the constitutional requirements for establishment and operation of the trade unions to enable harmonization of the social and labour relations. By finding the legislative gaps in the process of implementing the rights of citizens to establish and operate the trade unions, it is possible to modernize the regulatory legal institutions in this field. The aim of the research is to study the specifics of the constitutional right to establish and operate the trade unions.Materials and Methods. The methodological framework was organised based on the selection, analysis and systematisation of the relevant regulatory and legal data and research works in the subject area. The use of a set of general scientific (dialectical, logical, systemic) and specific scientific methods of cognition (comparative legal, dogmatic legal, sociolegal) made it possible to study the principles of state regulation of the trade union activities, identify the gaps in their work and shortcomings due to be eliminated, as well as to summarise the factors of applicability of the constitutional operational procedure to the activities of the trade union organisations in Russia.Results. The constitutional right to establish and operate the trade unions has been analysed. It has been acknowledged that determination of the legal advantages of the trade union members does not correlate with the process of declining the popularity of this institution in the Russian Federation. It has been revealed that this trend is caused by the several problems, i.e.: the multiplicity of the legislative requirements creates a number of contradictions in the relations between the trade unions and employers preventing the full freedom of organisations’ activities; the process of establishing the trade unions is complicated by the need to incorporate the legal entity, the legislative predetermination and formality do not give freedom to the organisations in compiling the charter and making changes to it without permission of the state; the principles of the internal relations regulation must comply with the standard provisions of the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, which also limits the trade union activity; the court defence of the rights of the trade union members needs to be revised and modernized to eliminate the ambiguous provisions and reduce the bureaucratic processes. The use of the variable collective agreements and principles of social partnership aimed at harmonisation of the social and labour relations have been proposed as the solutions to the identified problems.Discussion and Conclusion. The study has identified the key issues and underdeveloped aspects of the constitutional regulation of the trade union activities in the Russian Federation, which could be solved through the optimisation of the excessive legislative requirements, issuing the updated provisions on court defence of the trade union members, establishing the full independence and autonomy of such organisations in the matters of internal regulation, as well as through the development of the system of social partnership. The theoretical and practical conclusions drawn in the paper could be used for further research in the field of improving the legal literacy of the trade union members.

ЦИФРОВЫЕ СРЕДСТВА КОММУНИКАЦИИ В УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКОМ ПРОФСОЮЗЕ ЦИФРОВЫЕ СРЕДСТВА КОММУНИКАЦИИ В УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКОМ ПРОФСОЮЗЕ

The digital transformation of society and higher education affects university trade unions today, especially the sphere of communicative interaction between members of a trade union organization. The introduction of digital communication and information exchange tools has become a daily practice of modern university trade unions. However, representatives of the university trade union have different attitudes towards the use of digital communication tools, perceive their risks, and have different preferences in choosing certain communication tools. The purpose of the article is to identify the attitude of university trade union members to digital communication methods and their impact on various aspects of the life of university trade unions. A study conducted in 2023 in a number of universities in the Ural Federal District showed that members of university trade unions are generally ready to use digitalization tools to intensify communication and quickly achieve their goals. However, the trade union community is clearly aware of the risks of digital communication, including digital exclusion, increased information noise and reduced cohesion.

Trade Union Organizations of Kyrgyzstan in the 1920-1930s of the 20th Century

In connection with the formation of the Kirghiz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in August 1927, a reorganization of the structure of trade unions was carried out: regional departments were transformed into republican ones, district ones - into canton ones. Trade unions of Kyrgyzstan, under the leadership of the Kyrgyz regional committee of the CPSU (b), fought for the implementation of the decisions of the XIV and XV congresses of the CPSU (b), sought to increase the creative activity of workers in the reconstruction of old and construction of new industrial enterprises, in the transformation of agriculture. At the II Congress of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan, held in November 1926, it was decided to reorganize their work with the slogan “Facing production”, about attracting workers to actively participate in production management; special attention was paid to the training of national workers.

Institutional and legal prerequisites for the formation of the highest authorities of the Ukrainian People’s Republic of the Directory period during the Hetmanate (May 21 - December 14, 1918): historical and legal research

A historical and legal study of the institutional and legal prerequisites for the formation of the highest authorities of the UPR during the Directory during the Hetmanate (May 21 – December 14, 1918) was carried out. The process of formation of bodies that have gone through the evolution from public to the highest state bodies of the UPR during the Directory, began during the functioning of the Ukrainian State. The struggle for the restoration of the UPR was carried out by: the Ukrainian National Union, the Directory, the Council of Heads of State Affairs, the Council of Commissars, the Revolutionary Committee. Of greatest importance in the struggle against the Hetman was the creation of party and trade union organizations on May 21, 1918. Ukrainian National-State Union, which in August 1918 was renamed the Ukrainian National Union – an alternative public body to the existing state apparatus, which claimed to be transformed into a constituent state power. The directory was created on November 14, 1918. Ukrainian National Union. Links of this public institution were: the head of the Directory and members of the Directory, one of whom was the Chief Ataman. At the beginning of December 1918 departments were established under the Directory. In the process of struggle for the creation of the UPR in December 1918 the Council of Commissars was created – a public authority, which in fact was a prototype of the executive body of the UNR. After the abdication of power by the Hetman of Ukraine on December 14, 1918 The Directory, the Council of Commissars acquired the legal status of the highest bodies of state power of the UPR. Soon, instead of the Council of Commissioners, the Directorate created the Council of People’s Ministers – the government of the UPR. The formation of the UPR during the Directory was facilitated by the revolution in Germany, the support of the Entente. The stage of the struggle between the supporters of the Directory and the Hetman (May 21 – December 14, 1918) can be considered as the preparatory stage for the formation of the highest authorities of the UPR during the Directory, which was imposed on the period of the existence of the Ukrainian State.

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE UNION ORGANIZING AS A HISTORICAL LEGACY AND A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT

Throughout history, trade union organization has undergone significant reforms and changed as the organization of the state itself has changed. Trade union organization went through three historical phases: the phase until the nineteenth century, the phase from the nineteenth century to the middle of the twentieth century, and the final phase in the twenty-first century. Trade union organization followed the organization of the first states, through which workers defended their labor rights under primitive conditions in a primitively organized way. The first modern forms of trade union organizing were experienced in the territory of the United Kingdom, which is also considered the forerunner of trade union organizing. The right to organize a trade union, although today one of the fundamental collective rights, is increasingly becoming the subject of discussions and dilemmas, whether this right is really necessary in labor relations and, in the end, in constitutions of a large number of countries, as a promotion of economic and social rights. The paper could be divided into three parts, firstly the authors want to define the historical development of trade union organization, the process of developing in the countries of the world, what are the key historical moments in which this right made and contributed to “a quality more” in labor relations, and which were the first laws-constitutions that provided for this fundamental right today. The second part of the paper refers to the current normative legal situation in the Republic of Serbia regarding trade union organization and specifically trade union rights. The third part actually represents the main purpose of the paper, which is to point out some potential problems in the twenty-first century that union organizing in the international community is facing.

Struggle and health. Sociability and literacy in the “150 hours” courses in Turin

Throughout the years of the reforms, Turin’s political and trade union organizations succeeded in collecting and combining the requests coming from people’s workplace and everyday’s life to develop new models of social governance of schools and social services. All this was realized by reversing the responses given to social discomfort and suffering through a re-appropriation of spaces and a growing participation of citizens in all the social choices. This contribution aims at reconstructing the initiatives and experience of the courses of the so-called “150 hours school” in the years 1974-1978: in this period, the training on prevention on women’s health was carried out in middle schools and in university seminars, and it was open to male and female workers. These training started a process of awareness, active citizenship and representation that – from the collegial bodies of the schools to the newly born local councils, up to the factory councils – brought into question and “in motion” parents, school staff and new residents and workers.

The Role Of Trade Unions In Health Protection And Provision Of Safe Working Conditions For Medical Workers Part 2. Health care Workers' Trade Union Activities

Introduction. Healthcare workers are an important part of national healthcare systems ensuring its sustainability. Thus, it is necessary to introduce state mechanisms aimed at protecting their health and ensuring safe working conditions. Moreover, protection of rights and interests of healthcare workers is a matter of social justice. International and national public organizations and especially trade unions of healthcare workers play an important role in dealing with these issues. The purpose of the study is to consider examples of trade union activities on health protection and provision of safe working conditions in a number of countries upon the data on health issues that experience medical specialists as well as factors influencing these issues. Materials and methods. A content analysis of the official Internet pages of trade union organizations and their reporting documents for 2015-2024 was performed. Also, such methods as analysis, synthesis, secondary analysis and systematization of data were used. Results. Around the world, healthcare workers face occupational risks of infectious diseases, and are constantly exposed to various types of biological and non-biological hazards due to their working conditions, which are considered unsafe. Even cases of ill-treatment, threats, attacks or insults during the performance of professional duties are documented. Therefore, protection of health and safety of medical professionals, as well as their social and labor rights and interests is one of the main areas of trade unions as public organizations created on the initiative of healthcare workers.

Platform work and traditional employee protection: The need for alternative legal approaches

Paid work via digital platforms (so-called crowd work and gig work) is gaining in importance in Europe. Platform workers often suffer poor working conditions. Most platform companies treat crowd and gig workers as self-employed or independent contractors and, thus, normally protective labour laws do not apply. In response, initiatives have been taken through case law and legislation to extend the reach of the traditional employmentship to platform work. For example, the German Federal Labour Court ( Bundesarbeitsgericht) reclassified and treated platform workers as employees in high-profile rulings, which are discussed in more detail below. The recently adopted EU Directive on Platform Work enshrines a legal presumption of employment for platform workers. Regulations have also recently been introduced in EU Member States that subsume platform workers under the concept of employee. However, as argued in this article, legal and judicial initiatives aimed at extending the employee status often have limits given the market dynamics and de facto adaptation and circumvention strategies used by platform businesses. Moreover, traditional labour law protection does not always seem to be suitable for tackling the complexities and peculiarities of the various types of platforms. The following theses therefore seem worth discussing: 1. Extending employee status to platform work appears promising if this is already anchored in the socio-economic reality and if a consensus can be reached between the social partners in this regard. An existing example is the Spanish riders’ law, which pursues a sectoral approach and was supported not only by trade union organisations but also by employers’ associations. 2. In addition, the creation of a substantial core of social rights for platform workers, irrespective of employment status, should be strongly focused and legally brought forward. The long-standing scholarly discussion about alternative regulatory approaches to forms of work in the legal grey area between dependent employment and self-employment should be revived and made fruitful for the new phenomenon of digital work platforms. 3. Thirdly, self-regulatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by platform companies to improve working conditions should be encouraged by legislators and policymakers. As will be shown later in this article, a wide range of CSR efforts by the platforms already exist. In order to counter the risk of window dressing, the platform business operators’ own initiatives should be made effective through appropriate flanking legal measures and public pressure.

Development History and Role of The Vietnam Trade Union Organization

Over more than 90 years of formation and development, the Vietnam Trade Union has grown in all aspects and made worthy contributions to the great victories of the revolution, contributing to building the Vietnamese working class into an increasingly powerful force. The trade union organization has been consolidated and developed, with the number of union members and grassroots trade unions growing rapidly, and the cadre team developing both in quantity and quality. The union has expanded its activities to the non-state economic sector; increasingly effective coordination with various levels of government, organizations, and employers has been achieved, better fulfilling its tasks of representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers, promptly addressing pressing issues, and contributing to the establishment of harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations in enterprises. This study summarizes the birth circumstances of the Vietnamese working class and the Red Union - the precursor of today's Vietnam General Confederation of Labor; the role of the Vietnam Trade Union in the revolutionary process; and the urgent task for society to enhance the role of the trade union organization.

Профсоюзы и общественное мнение в Республике Башкортостан в конце XX – начале XXI в.

The article examines the dynamics of public opinion regarding trade union organizations in Bashkortostan in the post-Soviet period. The analysis of the scientific literature indicates that the problem is insufficiently studied. The main sources used in the article, in addition to archival documents, were the materials of the periodical press. The work notes that during the transition to market relations, trade unions restructured their work with an emphasis on strengthening the protection of the rights of employees, began to interact with all branches of government, negotiated with employers and concluded agreements and collective agreements. Non-fulfillment of agreements by enterprises and the state forced trade unions to organize collective actions: rallies, strikes, pickets. In the early 1990s, as sociological studies showed, citizens’ trust in trade unions remained high, paradoxically combined, however, with distrust of all political forces. Most likely, it is precisely distrust of trade unions that explains the attempts to create new public organizations in the 1990s, uniting ordinary workers. Many workers expressed dissatisfaction with the indecisive actions of the trade unions, urging them to pay attention to protecting the interests of workers. Special studies have found a decrease in the authority of trade unions among workers from the early 1990s to the early 2010s. At the same time, trade union leaders noted the passivity and inertia of ordinary trade union members, their non-participation in collective actions. Thus, on the one hand, the workers recognized the trade unions as the only defenders of their interests, on the other, they assessed its activities poorly, reluctantly participated in collective events.

On the Necessity to Transform the BRICS Trade Union Forum

The article is devoted to topical issues of improving the activities of the BRICS Trade Union Forum, which is especially important from the point of view of expanding this international organization and the need to optimize supranational social partnership in terms of deepening the trend of international regionalization. The existing problems of the trade union movement at the BRICS level are generated by the presence of various models of employee representation in labor relations in the BRICS countries and the absence of an international legal act on the principles of organization and functioning of trade unions in the BRICS countries. The solution to the problems is seen in the need to transform the format of the BRICS Trade Union Forum, its name, as well as to develop common approaches to the trade union movement, which, of course, will contribute to optimizing the legal regulation of the protection of workers’ labor rights in the BRICS countries.

Peculiarities of online communication of trade union organizations with a youth audience

In a rapidly changing system of labor relations, trade union organizations increasingly recognize the importance of involving a young generation to maintain the stability of their functioning and effectiveness. At the same time, this social group is one of the most unprepared in terms of socio-legal and economic understanding of the essence of professional activity. Hence, it is obvious that both sides need each other. However, traditional means of mass information and mobilization no longer resonate with the digital media generation. Social networks come to the fore, specifically the Chinese platform TikTok. It has a high potential for dissemination of information and popularization of trade union organizations. The main purpose of this research paper is to explore the agenda for the relevant subject matter in this application. The main method is content analysis. Search requests were made using the following keywords: trade union (English language), związek zawodowy (Polish language) and profspilka (Ukrainian language). This way let us to expand the meaning and strengthen the weight of the results. Among other things, thematic content, content producers and means for its formation are determined. In conclusion, trade union organizations have already noticed the potential of the platform for communication with young people. Nonetheless, they have just begun to introduce this audience to their activities.

Assessment of the trade union activity information system by the members of the Samara University trade union

The article is devoted to the analysis of the mechanisms of trade union information dissemination in modern digitalization conditions. The authors give an overview of the latest research on the transformation processes taking place in trade union organizations, including those, working in the domestic higher education system, and also provide data from their own empirical research conducted in the fall of 2023 among the members of the Samara University workers' union. The performed research, based on the data of the questionnaire survey of the university trade union ordinary members (N=107) and semi-formalized interviews with the chairmen of trade union bureaus (N=10), made it possible to analyze the way the university employees assess the quality of the Samara University trade union information work. Conclusions are drawn about the main existing information sources for the trade union ordinary members about its activities, the employees' preferences in the used information channels and the assessment of its reliability, as well as the greater need to obtain information on the protection of labor rights, improvement of working conditions and the collective agreement management. Based on the study results, practical recommendations are formulated for the trade union committee on improving the effectiveness of information work and operational feedback between the trade union leadership and its ordinary members.

Мнение персонала государственных медицинских организаций о причинах усталости на работе.

One of the indicators of dissatisfaction with a job or profession is “fatigue at work,” which more often means the presence of emotional burnout syndrome. In the domestic literature, the concept of “occupational fatigue” is more often used, which defines a person’s condition as a result of his long-term production activity. Studying the key causes of fatigue at work can become the basis for justifying measures to improve the performance of medical organizations. Purpose of the study: to examine the causes of fatigue at work among medical and other personnel in medical organizations of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Materials and methods. The information base for the analysis was the results of a sociological study of 1992 employees of medical organizations of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Questionnaire conducted was focused on determining the causes of fatigue at work. Questions were based on previous researches with republic trade union organization of medical personnel taking part in it. Survey forms were placed on medical organization sites. The causes of fatigue were studied according to age, duration of working time, total years of service and occupation. Results: it was found out that the most common cause of fatigue between staff is “the amount and intensity of work”, “work strain and lack of time”, “insufficient support and attention from manager and overhead staff”.

The Role Of Trade Unions In Health Protection And Provision Of Safe Working Conditions For Medical Workers.
 Part 1. Health And Safety Of Healthcare Workers As a Medical And Social Problem

Introduction. Healthcare workers are an important part of national healthcare systems ensuring its sustainability. Thus, it is necessary to introduce state mechanisms aimed at protecting their health and ensuring safe working conditions. Moreover, protection of rights and interests of healthcare workers is a matter of social justice. International and national public organizations and especially trade unions of healthcare workers play an important role in dealing with these issues.
 The purpose of the study is to consider examples of trade union activities on health protection and provision of safe working conditions in a number of countries upon the data on health issues that experience medical specialists as well as factors influencing these issues.
 Materials and methods. A content analysis of the official Internet pages of trade union organizations and their reporting documents for 2015-2024 was performed. Also, such methods as analysis, synthesis, secondary analysis and systematization of data were used.
 Results. Around the world, healthcare workers face occupational risks of infectious diseases, and are constantly exposed to various types of biological and non-biological hazards due to their working conditions, which are considered unsafe. Even cases of ill-treatment, threats, attacks or insults during the performance of professional duties are documented. Therefore, protection of health and safety of medical professionals, as well as their social and labor rights and interests is one of the main areas of trade unions as public organizations created on the initiative of healthcare workers.

Юридическая ответственность профсоюзной организации

The article is dedicated to the legal responsibility of trade union organizations established as a legal entity and trade union organization operating as an association of citizens.

To the definition of the concept of «public formation»

The article is devoted to the legal nature of public formation and the problem of determining the appropriate definition. The essence of public formation as an independent institution of public society is analyzed. A comparison and comparison of the concepts «participant in civil relations» and «public formation» was carried out. The definition of public formation and types of public formations given in the sectoral regulatory legal act: the Law of Ukraine «On State Registration of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Formations» – political parties, public associations, professional unions and their associations – is characterized, creative unions, permanent arbitration courts, employers’ organizations and their associations, separate divisions of foreign non-governmental organizations, representative offices, branches of foreign charitable organizations. A conclusion was drawn on the division of public formations into those that have the status of a legal entity, and public formations that do not have the status of a legal entity. It is noted that there are such terms synonymous by their legal nature in the field of accounting of public entities as «state registration», «legalization» and «accreditation». The information on the types of public formations that must be entered into the Unified register of public formations – an electronic database containing information on the relevant legalization (registration) – has been analyzed. Attention is focused on the fact that we are talking about political parties; NGOs; trade unions, trade union organizations; employers’ organizations, associations of employers’ organizations; all-Ukrainian, local associations of credit unions; charitable organizations: all-Ukrainian, international, local charitable organizations, branches, branches, representative offices of all-Ukrainian, international charitable organizations; creative unions; Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry; permanent arbitration courts; associations of local self-government bodies. Since the current national legislation does not contain a definition of public formation, based on the results of the research, such a definition of public formation is proposed as an organization that is created and functions in order to satisfy various public rights and interests.

Harassment as gender discrimination in the field of work

Abstract. The article examines such a phenomenon as «harassment» as a type of gender discrimination in the field of work. It is noted that gender discrimination in the field of labor is a complex multidimensional concept, the definition of which has not reached a consensus in the international community. It is important to get that the omission of international law does not distinguish gender as a discriminatory feature separate from biological sex, gender discrimination is mainly used as a synonym for discrimination based on sex. At the same time, it has a number of features. First, it represents a set of limitations, differences and persons that are reflected on the basis of the gender criterion and violate the equality of rights and opportunities of people in the field of employment (most often it is about women). Secondly, it is affected by gender inequality in the labor market, which is manifested in gender disparities. Thirdly, unlike the debatable concept of differentiation, gender discrimination is not a factor related to an employee’s job qualities. It is emphasized that harassment in social and labor relations is definitely part of the subject area of gender sociology, which reflects social interactions not just between states, but also entrenched hierarchical power relations, formed cultural norms, and their specificity. At the same time, it is not possible to obtain the psychological and value-normative orientations of employees, the dependence of the state and scale of problems on the field of employment, on the contingent at the workplace and working conditions in general. It was concluded that broad coverage of issues of equality between women and men, representation of women as a valuable employee in the workforce, evaluation of her professionalism, implementation of real mechanisms for increasing the representativeness of women in status positions - this can contribute to the prevention and prevention of violence and harassment in the field of work. At the same time, a special active role should be played by domestic trade unions, which in one way or another are associate members of international trade union organizations, which would be expressed in educational and informational work, real assistance to the victims, and in expert participation in the development of legislative initiatives and recommendations for countering harassment in the field labor.