The birth of the first trade unions dates back to the middle of the eighteenth century, when a community of workers was first organized in England, which was called the society of trade unions. The whole world has been counting down the anniversaries of the formation of trade unions from this year, but in Russia, professional associations have their own history.
In 1868, the first Trade Union Congress was convened in England. The work of the trade unions (as the members of the trade union were then called) was aimed at the struggle of the workers against the bourgeoisie, which mercilessly exploited the hired workers. In Russia, the organization of workers, in some communities, was prohibited until 1901, when the first workers' unions were organized in Moscow and St. Petersburg with the permission of the authorities.
Development of trade union organizations
The trade union movement reached its scope in 1905, and by 1917 there was practically not a single industrial enterprise, wherever a workers' union was organized. After the revolution, the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions (AUCCTU) was created.
Trade unions played a significant role during the formation of Soviet power. They helped the unemployed find jobs, organized primary classes for educational programs (liquidation of illiteracy), participated in procurement trips to the countryside to confiscate food surpluses from peasants. After the formation of the USSR, the trade unions fit into the general structure. In any cell of the trade union, which were universally organized in enterprises, they monitored compliance with labor laws. No union member could be fired without the consent of the local committee. Sanatoriums and rest homes, pioneer camps and kindergartens were built on membership fees. Any worker had the right to receive a ticket to these institutions for himself and his child once a year. However, all the work of the trade unions was carried out under the vigilant control of the Communist Party, so it is wrong to consider the work of the unions to be completely independent.
In this form, the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions existed until 1990, when on March 23, a renunciation of the dogmas of Marxism-Leninism was proclaimed. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia was created, which included all sectoral and territorial organizations of trade unions. Recently, the activities of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia are taking into account changes and conditions in the general and social policy of the state. Today, trade unions have more than 40 million members in their ranks, which are united in 120 branch trade unions.
Everyone has their own holiday
Such a history of trade unions in Russia, rich in vicissitudes, could not but affect the traditions of celebrating the Day of the trade union worker. The fact is that, in fact, there is no single state recognized holiday. However, there are a lot of branch days of trade unions. For example, the All-Russian Trade Union of Motor Transport Workers celebrates the holiday on September 18, and the holiday of public education workers - on September 25.
Naturally, all trade unions have their own traditions of celebration. Someone organizes festivals, shows, someone - bike rides and mass swims, there are trade unions that, like 50 years ago, take their members to marches and demonstrations, calling for an end to wages in the envelope and to improve working conditions.
