10th Trade Union Congress: Results, Challenges, Priorities

On December 17, 2025, the 10th Congress of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine was held in videoconference format. Headed by Trade Union President Georgiy Trukhanov and Deputy Presidents Liubov Harbarenko, Serhiy Romaniuk, Olha Chabaniuk, Serhiy Puhachov, and Dmytro Chomko, the congress was attended by delegates from regional organizations and invited guests. In total, the online event brought together over 120 participants.

Serhiy Byzov, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, and Andriy Stashkiv, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, were invited to participate in the congress.

Serhiy Byzov emphasized that the TUESWU is one of the largest, most active, and most effective trade union organizations. He also stressed the importance of consolidating the efforts of trade unions, maintaining unity, and strengthening the trade union movement in defending workers’ rights. In addition, he expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to trade union members who have suffered as a result of the war for their courage and support.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Andriy Stashkiv, speaking at the 10th Congress of the Trade Union, emphasized the importance of systematic joint work and ongoing, substantive dialogue between the Ministry and the Trade Union. He noted that such cooperation covers a wide range of issues, from reforming the wage system to other key areas of development in the education sector, and underlined the role of the Trade Union as a full-fledged social partner.

Welcoming speeches were also made by the union's international partners. Speaking at the Congress, David Edwards emphasized that Ukrainian educators are, above all, the architects of the future for which their country is fighting. He noted that teachers keep hope alive in the hearts of children and instill in new generations of Ukrainians the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

In this context, he stressed that educators must be properly supported and valued. Teachers deserve salaries that allow them to live with dignity and that reflect the essential role they play in society. Their labor rights must be respected, and their voices must be heard.

David Edwards also underlined the strong and unwavering solidarity of the global education community with Ukrainian teachers. He assured that whenever Ukrainian educators seek support, teachers from all over the world will respond. This solidarity includes condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, opposing attempts to limit trade union and labor rights, and calling on governments to increase teachers’ salaries. He concluded by emphasizing that the global education trade union movement stands firmly with Ukrainian educators.

Jelmer Evers, Director of the European Trade Union Committee for Education, conveyed greetings and solidarity on behalf of education trade unions across Europe. He emphasized the resilience of the Ukrainian Trade Union, welcomed its significant achievement in parliament in securing proper working conditions for educators, and reaffirmed continued European support in the fight for freedom, justice, and peace, as well as ongoing advocacy toward European governments. 

Maike Finnern, President of the German Education Union GEW and Vice-President of Education International, reaffirmed strong solidarity with Ukrainian educators and the TUESWU trade union. She condemned Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure and stressed the importance of international trade union solidarity. Maike Finnern highlighted the ongoing joint project implemented by GEW and TUESWU, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and confirmed GEW’s continued commitment to providing humanitarian assistance, supporting children from Ukraine, and further developing joint initiatives aimed at improving working conditions in the education sector and contributing to the country’s reconstruction.

The Congress considered the report of the Central Committee of the Trade Union for the period 2020–2025, the report of the Audit Commission, the election of the Union’s governing bodies, and the definition of key priorities for the Trade Union’s activities for 2026–2030.

In his report, Trade Union President Georgiy Trukhanov outlined the main achievements of the organization during the period of full-scale war. He stressed that the Union currently brings together more than 981,000 members, including education workers at all levels, students, and retired educators, and remains one of the key institutions defending the labour and socio-economic rights of education workers in Ukraine.

During the reporting period, the Trade Union maintained systematic cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Education and Science, local authorities, relevant parliamentary committees, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, as well as civil society and international organizations. The Sectoral Agreement between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Trade Union remained in force, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Educational Ombudsman, and a number of international projects were implemented with the support of and in cooperation with the Education International, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the German Education Union (GEW), and other partners.

Special attention was given to issues of salaries and education funding. Despite the extremely difficult financial situation in the country, concrete results were achieved, including the announced increase in base salaries for teachers and academic staff by 30% as of 1 January 2026, followed by an additional 20% increase from 1 September 2026.

During the discussion, Congress delegates from the regions put forward proposals regarding the Union’s future activities. As a result, the Congress approved the Central Committee’s report, defined priority areas for the next five-year period, and adopted the relevant resolutions.

Elections of the governing bodies were also held. Georgiy Trukhanov was elected President of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine. Liubov Harbarenko, Serhii Romaniuk and Olha Chabaniuk were elected as Vice-Presidents. In addition, Serhii Puhachov and Dmytro Chomko were elected as Vice-Presidents responsible for secondary and higher education respectively.

International Department