About
This survey is for employees working in SK battery manufacturing plants. The survey is being conducted by the Hungarian Association of Trade Unions of Workers in the Chemical, Energy and Related Professions (VDSZ), staff and representatives, with the support of Jarrow Insights and the IndustriAll European Trade Union.
The full current name of VDSZ is the Hungarian Association of Trade Unions of Workers in the Chemical, Energy and Related Professions (Magyar Vegyipari, Energiaipari és Rokon Szakmákban Dolgozók Szakszervezeti Szövetsége)
The Hungarian Chemical Workers' Association was founded in a small suburban pub on April 16, 1905. The new union prepared its statutes, which were approved by the Minister of the Interior a year later, after several revisions.
Thus, the official date of foundation is April 22, 1906 - so in 2026 we will be exactly 120 years old.
This event took place during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, so the union's newspaper was published in two languages, Hungarian and German, and membership cards were issued in even more languages.
This small group developed into a major union that survived two world wars, extreme political regimes and economic crises. The 1989 congress was a milestone in the union's history and set the new alliance on the path it continues to follow today.
Today, the VDSZ is a modern, free, independent democratic trade union with extensive international relations (ETUC, IndustriAll Europe, IndustriAll Global)
The VDSZ, which enjoys significant support from employees in individual workplaces, represents the interests of employees well, concludes good collective agreements, and successfully fights for the improvement of working conditions and occupational safety.
The VDSZ is committed to establishing fair labor relations with employers, and environmental protection, occupational safety and health protection at work are important parts of its daily activities.
The VDSZ has achieved significant results in the area of reducing working hours. Local representatives and other elected trade union officials gain good knowledge of modern methods of trade union work through a well-developed training system and a well-established information system.
The VDSZ has preserved its unity, reputation and recognition. These are necessary, but not sufficient conditions for successful activities in the coming decades. The domestic and international situation, the modernization of trade union activities must be continuously studied, and the opportunity must be sought and applied so that the VDSZ, as an equal partner in the changing circumstances, can increasingly assert itself among employees.
While maintaining the Alliance's influence in the current world of work, it is necessary to strengthen organization among women, young workers, and workers with disabilities, as well as other disadvantaged groups.
Let's be more to win more!
The VDSZ is a trade union federation whose member organizations operate in the following sectors:
- Aluminum industry
- Builders
- Rubber industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Gas industry
- Paper industry
- Chemical industry
- Vehicle suppliers
- Related professions
The scope of activities of the VDSZ member unions covers the protection and representation of workers in the following areas:
· production, manufacturing, processing
· research and development
· design
· installation and assembly
· service
· commerce, marketing, finance
· education, training, further education
· administration, control
The VDSZ is an autonomous, independent, democratic organization based on voluntary organization and solidarity.
The VDSZ considers peace, freedom, justice and solidarity to be of equal value.
The VDSZ is a recognized and important part of both the Hungarian and international trade union movements.
Main areas of activity:
· protection and representation of interests,
· coordinating the work of organizations,
· legal protection,
· protecting the specific interests of young workers, women, shift workers and those in disadvantaged situations
Trade union membership is voluntary, and the election of governing bodies and leaders is by secret ballot.
IndustriAll European Trade Union is a federation of independent and democratic trade unions representing manual and non-manual workers in the metal, chemical, energy, mining, textile, clothing and footwear sectors and related industries and activities. We speak for 7 million working men and women united within 200 national trade union affiliates in 39 European countries.