As the war in Ukraine rages on, the trade union federation UNI Europa announced today the establishment of a new organising centre in Kyiv that will support Ukrainian unions, veteran communities and NGOs.
The centre COZZ Ukraine , which will be the Ukrainian arm of UNI’s Central and Eastern European Organizing Centre’s (COZZ), has grown out of years-long support for that country’s workers and refugees.
It shows UNI’s deepened commitment to support Ukrainian unions as they organise in some of the most difficult circumstances in Europe today, with the first seed funding coming from UNI affiliate Unionen in Sweden.
“The establishment of COZZ Ukraine is a clear commitment to organizing where it is needed most. Even amid war, workers in Ukraine are rising for dignity, rights and collective bargaining. COZZ and UNI will support them every step of the way,” said Oliver Roethig, UNI Europa Regional Secretary and President of the COZZ Foundation Council .
Over the past few months, COZZ has laid the groundwork for organizing efforts. A central part of this has been the employment COZZ’s first full-time organiser in Kyiv: a young veteran living with a disability from the war.
COZZ has been connecting with Ukrainian unions, veteran communities and NGOs. On a recent visit to Kyiv, COZZ representatives met with UNI affiliates – the Cultural Workers’ Union and the Communication Workers’ Union – as well as both national union confederations (FPSU and KVPU ), all of whom expressed strong interest in working together.
“Unionen is proud to have helped make COZZ Ukraine possible. Supporting unions in Ukraine, particularly through innovative work with veterans and service sector unions, reflects the values we hold dear: solidarity, inclusion and long-term commitment to worker power,” said Peter Hellberg, UNI Europa President and President of Unionen Sweden .
One of COZZ objectives is to develop leader-trainers embedded within both the trade union movement and the veterans’ network. These leaders can bridge grassroots organizing and institutional advocacy, ultimately helping unions lead to inclusive employment and labour market integration .
While COZZ Ukraine is still new on paper, its foundation was laid over the past few years. Besides joining forces with the other global unions in solidarity with Ukrainian unions, it has backed UNI’s affiliate Be Like Nina since the beginning of the war. Last summer, BLN started a major organizing campaign for the care sector in all 24 Ukrainian regions, including occupied areas.
In the face of war, BLN has reached nearly 2,000 care workers , expanded its membership by nearly 70 per cent and prepared 140 workers to establish new union branches. These frontline workers are not only defending their rights and improving conditions – they are showing the world what worker power looks like under pressure. The union received UNI Global Union’s Freedom from Fear Award as a result of its successful campaign.
COZZ Ukraine is open to work with other unions, European and global trade union federations as well donors in Ukraine to support unions and working people.