The only organization protecting the rights of education workers is trade union, more precisely, Trade Union Federation of Ukraine that counts million members. NTUU “KPI” trade union actively participates in everyday struggle for welfare, a just level of remuneration, high living standards. In autumn 2010 and in winter 2012 we took part in the walkout when the Central Committee of our trade union negotiated with Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; in 2011 – in the walkout near he town council of Kyiv, against raising of utility tariff rates; on September, 22, 2012 – in Ukrainian walkout of educators demanding the implementation of Article 57 of the "Law on Education". When the Program of Economic Reforms for 2010-2014 (paragraph 39.2) predicted "increasing the percentage of students per university lecturer to 18" (now in Ukraine the number amounts to 9-13), in NTUU "KPI" 6.5 thousand signatures of staff and students against reduction the teaching staff were collected.
The Committee of Education and Science of Verkhovna Rada held hearings on the issue in which trade union organizations took part. On April, 22 in Shevchenko Kyiv National University there was the meeting of the Presidium of the Union of Rectors of Universities of Ukraine where Education Minister D. Tabachnyk claimed that basing on the results of the meeting the proposal from the Cabinet of Ministers will be included with a request to correct paragraph 39.2. Trade unions continue monitoring the situation. The last years were not easy for us. First, the Revision Office of Ukraine came round with the planned inspection. Staff and students trade union committees actively participated in the negotiations, as they noticed a biased position of the checkers to our university. The act, based on the results of the ROU, was submitted for testing to the legal enquiry institute. The legal enquiry institute declared notes given in act illegal. Then, it was reported that public prosecution office of Vyshgorodskiy district filed a legal claim for alienation of land of the recreation facility "Polytechnic". We sent a protest to the Cabinet of Ministers, the General Prosecutor Office of Ukraine and courts. Employees trade union committees and students raised for the month under 13 thousand signatures. As a result, "KPI" won the case in court and upheld the recreation facility and land near the 18th building. Then was an outright struggle with the Ministry of Education and Science for the compelling stand of the University about our beliefs and candidates to the position of rector. Representatives of civil organizations of KPI negotiated with the Minister of Education and Science, held four conferences of the staff and finally we won - M.Z.Zhurovski was re-elected as the rector. Funds. The rector chosen, it became clear that the University does not have enough money for salaries and utilities. Due to underfunding we have not received 114 million USD, 27 million of which were supposed for salaries. Utility rates increased sharply. After much thought the staff were asked to go to a two-week unpaid vacation. Decisions were taken by open vote at a general meeting of trade union core group and the administration. Then was a problem with the lecturer- pensioners. To sign a contract, they, according to the Law "On Education", had to pass the competition. We invited representatives of retirement funds who gave explanations. The competition was held, and almost all lecturers continue working and receiving salary and academic pension. However, 157 teachers were dismissed, mostly our veterans who have exhausted their resources and it is difficult for them to give lectures and to be engaged in research activities. Eventually we overcame these difficulties and bridged budget deficit. The budget for 2013 covers all our needs. Barring disasters, we are provided with funds by the end of the year. But in September this year we are again waiting for Revision Office of Ukraine. Body. As of May 30, 2013 University employees trade union organization unites 7051 members, including 2,220 lecturers, 1,320 of auxiliary educational staff, 452 employees of Research Department, 3059 - administrative staff. The trade union consists of representatives of 28 university structural subdivisions, working in 11 committees. 50 trade unions unite 246 trade union groups of departments and sub-sections. 74% of union dues are at command of these units: they are spent on the health care, cultural work, sports work, financial assistance to members of trade unions. Over the accounting period 5763 employees received financial aid amounting to 505 2541 USD.
In 2010-2012 KPI trade union adopted or rehabilitated 418 members. 4 members left voluntarily. 10 persons were excluded for failure to pay trade union dues for 9 months. The whole university management system, autonomization of faculties and institutes led to the democratization of our life in KPI. Most internal problems we solve through the Collective agreement. Administration and trade union regularly report on its implementation at the staff conference. Unfortunately, the end of this year's conference was disrupted by a group of students representing Student Council and the so-called self-governing KPI students trade union. At present, according to the decision of the Rector of KPI all public organizations and financial issues related to the scholarship and student social funds are under control of O.M.Novikov, the vice-principal, director of the Institute of Physics and Technology. Committees. The Committee of social and legal protection (O.K.Nikitin, S.I.Yenina, L.P.Andreychuk) is in charge of the issues of wages, labour disputes, legal issues, firing. The Committee believes department trade unions should take part more actively while discussing controversial issues and hold the hearing of cases and causes.
The Committee public control (R.D.Halytska, V.H.Shynkarenko, S.P.Vyslouh) monitors the staff management of the university in accordance with applicable law, the availability of job descriptions, accounts books of the time worked, buffets’ working, Center of student nutrition, readiness of the recreation facility" Sosnovyi" to the recreational season and so on. The Committee of social insurance and health care (Z.V.Kravets, L.F.Semykina, L.Ye.Brahina) takes upon itself a huge part of the work. In 2011-2012 414 employees were invigorated by providing sanatorium vouchers in the amount of 2 million 265 thousand hryvnas. 43 vouchers were given to families with children. The mass recovery of employees and their families is possible gratifying to the recreation facilities "Mayak", "Polytechnic", "Sosnovyi". Selling trips for the summer season 2013 has already started as well as the issue of the significant reduction vouchers is settled. The Committee on the work with children includes O.O.Kozhem 'yachenko, V.M.Surnina, T.V.Balabanova. Since independence, the number of children of "pioneer age" was reduced to 1200-1300 persons. So in 2010-2012 we send them to recreation camps provinding them with vouchers granted by the Kyiv Council of Trade Unions and the Kyiv City Union of Education and Science for 10% of the cost. We can cure almost any volunteer. It is necessary that information reach the departments. The Housing Committee (V.S.Antonyuk, K.M.Hrynenko, T.S.Katran). The checklist for university accommodation includes 110 families of employees, 5 of which are out-of-sequence, 54 are first ranking. Today the real investment project for obtaining housing in the building on Klovski Lane is working. Trade union performed a huge elucidative work, resulting in 26 employees were included in the list for accommodation, 24 families received accommodation. The Committee on Labour Protection (B.O.Bobin, R.M.Shvedin). The seminars on protection of labour were conducted for the heads of departments, responsibles of departments and employees working at sites with increased risk (153 employees at 50 workplaces). Measures have been taken for the hot water supply in the academic buildings for cleaners as well as the preparation of service and academic buildings for the winter was performed, etc. Last year we participated in the competition of protection of labour, held annually by the line ministry and Central Committee of our industry, and ranked first among universities in Ukraine. Cultural and entertainment committee (H.I.Loza, S.O.Yamkina, T.A.Holenko, S.V.Stetsyuk).
At the Center of Culture and Arts are working amateur talent groups, we have a team of KVN, we hold festivals, tournaments and competitions. We organize various tours, visit theaters and exhibitions. Trade union partially offset the costs of these events. The Faculty of Marketing and Management, household services, campus, the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automation and others organize tours individually, partially offsetting the cost at their own expense. Sports Committee (S.O.Zhuravlov, O.Yu.Luskan, O.D.Mohunko, V.S.Kryvenda). There is the agreement between the Trade union and the Center for Physical Culture and Sports – the one under which employees have the opportunity to attend free sports sections. There are 14 sections, groups of health and others. KPI competitions are held among staff and students: Trade union Cup on mini-football for teaching staff, the Day of football in Ukraine, Trade Union Cup on volleyball for teaching staff, days of health care, competition on football, indoor soccer, volleyball, basketball, table hockey, powerlifting, athletics and others. Trade Union provides financial assistance during the competition to buy sports equipment and sports uniform. Culture and sports committee in cooperation with trade union working with veterans (M.V.Tryhlib, K.O.Boyko, Ye.D.Ohar) and the Council of Veterans organize and hold events on Victory Day, the Day Defender of the Motherland, the other dates. For unemployed (poor) pensioners there were organized dinners 2 times a week during the year. Today the veterans work at the university: combatants – 9, tactical logisticians – 49, veterans of the Armed Forces, Ministry of Home Affairs, Security Service of Ukraine – 56, Children of War - 1089. The Committee on Information and International Relations (M.O.Bezuhlyy, S.V.Harbar, L.V.Chernenko, K.S.Doroshenko, O.Yu.Lyubak). There was designed a site of KPI employees trade union. KPI trade union has signed agreements on cooperation with the Warsaw Polytechnic, Technical University of Moldova, The Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The organization became an associate member of the Eurasian Association of Universities’ trade unions in 2010. In September 2013 KPI trade union will become a full member of the Association, which will open up new opportunities for international cooperation with CIS countries. For 3 years the Commission has organized trips and welcomed 11 international trade union delegations. This year will be another 3 delegations. Organizational and Events Committee (V.O.Korsakov, H.P.Mezhevych, O.V.Danylenko, O.L.Chernysh, O.H.Korbut) regularly holds training meetings for trade union core team, where the representatives of Trade union Central Committee, City Union Committee, specialists in trade union work are welcomed. These meetings are dedicated to legal issues, advice and tips, the core team of the trade union is informed upon the work of the governing bodies of trade unions and political situation in the country. Trade union committee is involved in the development of almost all documents of the University. Trade union representatives participate in the University Academic Councils and university departments working, perform closely with university administration on all relevant issues of the life of our university. According to the materials of the accounting report by the Head of the NTUU “KPI” employees trade union, V.I.Molchanova, May 30, 2013