Ukrainian Rail Union leader to RMT on May Day
Letter from Volodymyr Kozelsky, Head of the Ukrainian Trade Union Confederation, to the RMT and the British Working Class on May Day
Dear Colleagues,
I write to you on behalf of the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine (abbreviated as VPZU), a nationwide public trade union. The union’s primary and regional branches operate across the majority of Ukraine’s administrative and territorial regions.
VPZU was founded on 15 November 2006 at the Constituent Congress, which united numerous transport sector unions of railway workers under a single statute. It is known as the “Free Trade Union” and is built on democratic principles, providing an alternative to trade unions established during the Soviet era. VPZU was officially registered on 9 February 2007 and is recognised at the industry level for collective bargaining.
Our membership comprises a broad range of core railway professions, including train drivers, track maintenance workers, signal operators, power engineers, wagon inspectors, engine drivers, and passenger carriage attendants. Some branches of the VPZU also operate within municipal urban transport enterprises (tram, trolleybus, bus, and metro systems).
Since its inception and up to the start of the war, VPZU has conducted various actions to defend the fundamental labour rights of its members. We are a member of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU) and work in solidarity with the Independent Miners’ Union of Ukraine (NPGU), the Free Trade Union of Medical Workers, the Free Trade Union of Education and Science, and other unions within the KVPU.
However, the war has had a profound impact on all aspects of Ukrainian life and the economy. The full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation has created several challenges for the VPZU’s operations, including:
1. Loss of Communication and Resources: A significant number of VPZU organisations are in territories now under occupation. Effective communication with these branches, which had previously flourished and expanded their influence within transport enterprises, has been practically severed. As a result, the central governing body of the union has lost its financial capabilities.
2. Displacement and Mobilisation: During the war, some VPZU members have been mobilised or volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while others have gone abroad. This has affected the union’s organisational activities.
3. Refusal to Negotiate: Some enterprise heads (employers) have refused to engage in negotiations with experienced and respected VPZU union leaders. In response, we are urgently training and developing new trade union leaders.
4. Restrictive Legislation: Under martial law, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted Law No. 2136-IX on 15 March 2022, “On the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law.” This law, which came into effect on 24 March 2022, significantly reduced employee rights and social guarantees while granting employers extensive authority without the need for coordination with trade unions or labour collectives. VPZU is using all available legal means to ensure the enforcement of minimum labour standards under this law.
5. Suspension of Collective Agreements: Employers have unilaterally suspended terms of Collective Agreements in railway enterprises, undermining trade union activities and socio-economic guarantees for railway workers. This situation demands unity, general mobilisation, and the use of legal instruments by the VPZU to address these issues.
6. Lack of Social Dialogue: Currently, there is no meaningful social dialogue between VPZU and the management of the Joint-Stock Company “Ukrainian Railways.” As a result, negotiations and consultations have stalled for several years. Written appeals from the VPZU often go unanswered for months, even after follow-up correspondence. Moreover, discriminatory practices have emerged in some structural divisions, where management discriminates against employees affiliated with the VPZU.
May Day Greetings – International Workers’ Day
On 1 May 2025, despite martial law, VPZU trade union organisations will carry out appropriate activities to mark this significant day.
I extend my heartfelt May Day greetings to my colleagues in the trade unions and to workers across the United Kingdom. This day celebrates the unity of working people and their ongoing struggle for rights, decent work, and dignified lives.
May this important occasion bring encouragement, optimism, confidence, and joy, and may it strengthen us for the challenges and victories ahead.
In Unity Lies Our Strength!
With respect,
Volodymyr Kozelsky