Trade Union Alliance

THE EDUCATION TRADE UNIONS, (FSASH-SPASH),
ALLIANCE FOUNDED

The Trade Union Federation of Education and Science of Albania, FSASH, and the Independent Trade Union of Albanian Education SPASH, taking into account more than 15 years of collaboration; which is expressed in the three cooperation Agreements signed between them, almost every 5 years, based on the experience gained so far and led by the interest of the members they represent, teachers’ and education employees, and further strengthening of trade union movement in the education system, decided to raise their collaboration to a higher level, and found the ALLIANCE OF EDUCATION TRADE UNIONS, SPASH and FSASH.

The Opening Speech of both Chairmen at the First Meeting of Representatives

Honored Colleagues,

Today is an historical day. Our first meeting, as representatives of Trade Union Alliance, is holding following the decisions made by SPASH National Council and FSASH Steering Committee. It is an historical day because 22 years after the foundation of our both education trade unions, and 16 years of cooperation and agreements regarding negotiating and signing together the Collective Agreement, being presented as a joint party to the employer, i.e. Ministry of Education and Science, MASH, and the Government, regarding social-economic demands of teachers and education employees; after many joint activities as to teachers qualification, minimization of school drop outs and elimination of child labour, and, in many cases, joint trade union movements on local and national level and publication of the Magazine “Tribuna Sindikale” ( Trade Union Tribune), we are here today to start a new area, regarding our relations and collaboration at the benefit of education trade union movement for most effective social-economic protection of teachers, the founding of the Education Trade Unions Alliance.
This Agreement is not something occasional or result of the work done only by two persons or by some people. It is based on a very long historical experience and has a broader social basis.
It has gained a very solid and powerful historical experience, because during these 22 years of pluralist political and social life in Albania, none of other professional trade unions or confederative groupings, has been able to establish, preserve and consolidate sustainable relations for such a long period, as our both trade unions have done.

We are not boasting if we say that such an experience is rarely or never met, not only among trade unions of the countries of the region, but also in trade Unions of East and Central Europe.

The Agreement has a broad social support and the majority of teachers and education employees, taking into account the ever closer collaboration and the creation of conditions, are requiring the foundation of a unique education trade union in the future. Expression of this trend is a fact that many district trade union sections, have given in years the example of an advanced collaboration, and served as an incitement to the foundation of this Alliance.

Both leaderships of our Trade Unions, all of you present here today, as well as the chairmen of district trade union sections have given their indispensable contribution to the realization of this Agreement.

Which are the pillars and objectives of this Trade Union Alliance, which is being legitimized today in this meeting of the representatives, authorized by SPASH National Council and FSASH Steering Committee?
First, strengthening and consolidating education trade union movement, aiming at attracting to the Alliance all teachers and education employees, who are not actually members of either of our trade unions.
Second, passing to a new phase of collaboration, unknown before, by establishing a structure with equal organs and organisms, in order to gradually create the conditions for the complete unification of the two trade unions.
Third, establishing a strong, representative trade union unit for facing the employer, narrowing and closing all speculative spaces of the so- called trade unions founded in the education system, which deceive teachers by making unreal promises.

We are aware of the fact that this action is not an easy undertaking, and there will be obstacles in the process of Trade Union Alliance consolidation, but in 22 years we have learned how to meet obstacles and difficulties, we have faced even more difficult challenges and have successfully overcome them.

This is a task which should be accomplished by both trade union leaderships, founders of the Alliance, all of you present here and hundreds of other leaders on school, section and even national level. Let us unite together, free of complexes, support each other and go forward to the benefit of trade unions and their members, teachers and other education employees for the constant progress of the education system in our country.

Co-chairmen of Education Trade Unions, (FSASH-SPASH), Alliance

Xhafer Dobrushi Bajram Kruja

FSASH/SPASH SPASH/FSASH

EDUCATION TRADE UNIONS ALLIANCE

The transformation and development process of Albanian society from dictatorship to democracy, which started with the overthrow of the communist political system and establishment of pluralism, was associated by the birth of trade union movement. Within the frame of this movement, in 1991 there were established the two education trade unions: The Independent Trade Union of Albanian Education, SPASH, and the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science of Albania, FSASH.

During the first 5-6 years of pluralism, the relations between FSASH and SPASH were characterized by lack of communication, conflicts and respective accusations; there was no communication, spirit of collaboration and trade union dialogue. But this situation did not last long. Under the leadership initiative, both trade unions established their first contacts and collaboration bridges, initially on central and later on local level. Since then, for more than 15 years, the relations between FSASH and SPASH, taking into account the interest of the members they represent, Albanian school and education system development and modernization, are characterized by the collaboration spirit, continuous dialogue, firmness, objectivity and sense of responsibility in facing the employer, and solving the difficult problems they encounter every day.

It is a normal practice for both our trade unions to present joint demands to the employer, i.e. Ministry of Education and Science, even to the Government, negotiate and sign jointly periodical Collective Agreements, work for their implementation, organize common activities as to improvement of teachers’ and trade unionists’ professionalism, protection of children and undertaking joint trade union movements of local or national character. SPASH/FSASH publish a common magazine “ Tribuna Sindikale”, thus, becoming a unique example in the country as to the cooperation model among various trade union subjects based on equality, tolerance, dialogue, mutual respect and taking over the responsibility for meeting common objectives and agreements.

The long and successful period of collaboration, the experience gained so far by many trade union sections, which have reached a full understanding among them and have equalized their trade union memberships, the interest shown by their members and other education employees as to the consolidation and further strengthening of trade union movement in education system, aiming the strengthening of arguing and accomplishing power of trade unions, enable the opening of a new and more advanced era in the relations and collaboration among them, by founding and institutionalizing the Alliance of Education Trade Unions, FSASH/SPASH.

Alliance of Education Trade Unions, FSASH/SPASH, is based and functions on the following principles and norms:

The Alliance of Education Trade Unions is a joint, voluntary, trade union structure, based on the full equality of its constituent subjects. Within the Alliance, each trade union conserves its existing structure; functions based on its statute and harmonizes the activities with the principles and requirements of the Alliance.
The Alliance of Education Trade Unions, as a structure, elects its leading and coordinating organs. The highest organ of the Alliance is The Joint General Meeting of SPASH National Council and FSASH Steering Committee, which will be called the COUNCIL OF ALLIANCE, from now on. The Council as a rule is convened once a year and examines major problems of special importance.
Each trade union sends its representatives to the Alliance Representative Unit. This is composed of 34 members, equally divided 17 by 17.
The Representative Unit is convened at least twice a year. In its first meeting it elects the Coordination Board composed of 8 members, including both co-chairmen. The Coordination Board, under the leadership of both co-chairmen manages daily work and convenes whenever it is necessary.
The Council of Alliance, the Representatives Unit and Coordination Board are led by both Co-chairmen.
The decisions of the Council of Alliance, Board and Co-chairmen are made only by consensus.
SPASH/FSASH as constituents of the Alliance of Education Trade Unions, preserve their membership separately at the International Federation of Education Trade Unions, EI, and at European Trade Union Committee for Education, ETUCE.
Representative Unit and the Board is not eligible to give orders about the internal functioning of both trade unions.
The Representative Unit, Board and Co-chairmen have the following competencies :
Discussing and developing the thematic of common demands to present to the employer, and to be represented as a unique unit in the negotiations about amendments, changes and improvements to the Collective Agreement in all levels.
Organization of demonstrations, protests, strikes and other joint trade union actions.
Compiling and finalizing trade union membership lists that adhere to Alliance of Education Trade Unions, putting an end to the illegal phenomena of policy interference into trade unions and moving of trade union members from one trade union to the other, whenever there are political rotations
The model of Alliance membership list is made by the Board and approved by the Representative Unit. These lists are the unique legal document presented to the employer to prove the degree of representation and legitimacy of the Alliance as a united trade union force.
Membership lists of the Alliance are permanent. They are signed by both Alliance Co-chairmen or their representatives on second level. These lists are presented to Regional Educational Directorate, DAR, and Educational Offices, ZA, and are used for the joint representation level, as well as for collecting the trade union membership fee, which is paid to the respective accounts of FSASH and SPASH, to the amount of 50% to 50%, based on the Collective Agreement of the first level.
In order not to damage but to guarantee the organizational and statutory functioning of SPASH and FSASH separately, as well as because of the election of their leading structures on all levels, trade union sections of each party, keep the internal separated lists of their membership.
SPASH National Council and FSASH Steering Committee consider the foundation of this Alliance as a new level of collaboration, a new phase of trade union emancipation in the education system, and a real opportunity for the strengthening and further democratization of trade union movement.

FSASH STEERING COMMITTEE SPASH NATIONAL COUNCIL