The first trade union group of the educational institution was created on October 10, 1960. It consisted of 16 members headed by trade union organizer G.I. Zavhorodniy. Later, in 1961, the trade union organization was established and the first local trade union committee was elected.
In subsequent years, the trade union was led by G.I. Zavhorodniy, G.A. Krestenkov, L.M. Chernyak, G.S. Fedorenko, V.A. Bezborodiy, M.M. Lastovich, V.K. Kapustin, V.M. Sologubovskiy, G.O. Parfenenko, L.P. Landar, A.V. Chupis.
In 1983, the local committee became the trade union committee, with a new focus on developing the socio-economic needs of employees. Thus, in 1983, land was allocated for estate plots and the cooperative “Chistye Prudy” was created.
The following year, a full-time position for the head of the trade union committee of the branch was introduced, which A.I. Yeschenko held until 2003.
In 1989, due to the large number of teachers and staff and the extensive structure, the Sumy branch of KhPI trade union committee was granted the status of a district trade union committee by a decree of the Sumy regional committee of the sectoral trade union.
Since April 1, 2003, the primary trade union organization of Sumy State University has been headed by V.O. Borovik.
The main focus of the trade union committee’s work is the social protection of the rights and interests of trade union members, primarily by including additional benefits and guarantees in the collective agreement compared to existing legislation in the payment system, working conditions, and labor protection. In 2005, a representative body was created for the development of the collective agreement and monitoring its implementation, and a permanent commission on collective agreement issues operates.
Our collective agreement has repeatedly won the regional competition (2009, 2011) and received a diploma. In 2009, it was awarded a second-degree diploma among universities of Ukraine, and Rector A.V. Vasilyev was awarded the highest trade union award – the “For Social Partnership” badge.
The primary trade union organization has several diplomas for winning the regional competition for the best “primary organization” (2008, 2011), and in 2012, it received an honorary diploma for winning the All-Ukrainian public review competition for the state of working conditions and safety in institutions, establishments, enterprises, and organizations of the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
In accordance with Article 44 of the Law of Ukraine “On Trade Unions,” the administration annually allocates funds for the health improvement of university employees, which allows all willing employees and their family members to improve their health. All employees who wish to send their children to children’s health camps are provided with discounted vouchers. Cooperation with the city social insurance fund enables university employees to undergo treatment in sanatorium-resort institutions annually. In 2012, the material base of the university was supplemented with two social facilities: the sports and recreation camp “Univer” and the sanatorium-preventorium.
The trade union organization constantly holds cultural and mass events: attending theater performances, classical music concerts, organizing nature trips and weekend trips, excursions to notable places in Putyvl (Spadshchansky Forest), Baturyn, Poltava, the Chernihiv Dendropark, the Pyrohovo Museum, etc.
A highlight initiated by the trade union committee in 2010 is the annual amateur art competition “Spring Chimes” among teachers and staff. The most significant result in 2012 was the awarding of the title “People’s Amateur Collective of Trade Unions of Ukraine” to three university teams.
The annual “Health” spartakiad among university employees has been restored, culminating in “Fun Starts” and a summary at the rowing base.
Thus, the SumDU trade union organization is at the forefront of addressing pressing socio-economic and cultural-mass needs, contributing to creating a favorable atmosphere for work and rest for university employees.