The Forum for the Co-Operation of Trade Unions (Szakszervezetek Együttmûködési Fóruma = SZEF) is the trade union federation rallying the associations of workers and employees in public education, social services and health care, public collections, cultural and art institutions, state and local government service, jurisdiction and the organs of public order and security. It is one of the largest trade union confederations of Hungary. Its affiliated branches have an aggregate membership of 426.000; - 274.000 are active members and 172.000 are pensioners.

AIMS

Trade unions co-operating in SZEF by all possible means stand and fight for the security of livelihood of employees in the public service, for emoluments assuring a decent living for them, for good working conditions in public institutions fulfilling the needs of inhabitants. That is, in the work of SZEF two decisive factors are together: Responsibility for the fate of universal values, public education, health- and social services, culture, arts, modern public services and constitutional statehood, as well as the obligation to protect resolutely the interests of those employed in these institutions. This twoness, the joint efforts of the trade unions co-operating in SZEF are embodied in the slogan of the confederation: ”For the quality of human life!”

A STRONG ALLIANCE

The majority of public service trade unions were led by the perception in June 1990, when founding SZEF that only the co-operation of all those interested and their joint appearance might bring about an effective defence against charges aimed at the public services.

In 1990, the more than thirty founding membership organizations indicated the nature of the activities of SZEF as a loose action-alliance, a forum of permanent consultations. The joint forum functioned well. It created security for the conduct of membership organizations, but half a decade later the deterioration of conditions in public services made it obvious that an action-alliance, a consultation forum had not been enough any more. The alliance had to be transformed into a professional organization. This transformation was accomplished by the I. Congress of SZEF on May 4, 1995.

The social weight of SZEF has increased ever since. The activities of the confederation aroused appreciation in local and international trade union movements alike. This is shown by the fact that SZEF has since 1998 been a full-fledged member of European Trade Union Congress (ETUC) and is conducting widespread co-operation with a number of other international and national trade union associations. This development was acknowledged by the II. Congress of SZEF on April 23 and May 29, 1999, which adopted the mid-term programme of the confederation.

The new programme sets the following important tasks before SZEF:

• To react in merit to social problems beyond the world of labour, to changes deriving from world globalization and Hungary’s joining the Europian Union;
• Effective participation in the preparation of the reform of the public service and in the unaviodable transformation of the institutional system. A consequent stand against effects unwarrantedly endangering the way of life of citizens and the condition of employees in the public service;
• Resolute fight for a substantial improvement of the presently very low wages of public employees, for their more dynamic increase as compared to the national average;
• Firm insistance to increase the attractiveness and social appreciation of public service and the professional security of employees in this field.

INDEPENDENT OF PARTIES

The Forum for the Co-operation of Trade Unions (SZEF), representing the interests of public service employees, is ready to have a dialogue with each and every political party but it does not commit itself to any political force. The confederation shapes its image and programme independently.

DEMOCRATICALLY

SZEF deems it important that its affiliated organizations retain their autonomy. Belonging to the confederation should not cast a shadow on their own face, their role in public opinion and their reputation. The leading bodies of SZEF - The Federal Council and the Managing Board - strive at taking resolutions with consensus. In case this is not possible, a membership organization can declare disinterestedness regarding the decision taken by a majority vote.

OFFICE-BEARERS OF SZEF

Dr. Endre Szabó president

Vice-presidents:

Dr. Ágnes Cser az Egészségügyben és a Szociális Ágazatban Dolgozók Szakszervezetének (EDDSZ) elnöke
József Fehér a Magyar Köztisztviselők és Közalkalmazottak Szakszervezetének (MKKSZ) főtitkára
László Varga a Pedagógusok Szakszervezetének (PSZ) megbízott főtitkára

Postal address:
H-1051 Budapest, Sas u. 10. - Hungary
Telephone: (36-1) 301-87-30
Telefax: (36-1) 301-87-69
E-mail: szef@mail.tvnet.hu