Trade Union Committee
History of the Trade Union Committee
of I. Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University
(FPI – KSTU named after I. Razzakov)
In November 1955, the first trade union meeting of the Frunze Polytechnic Institute was held, during which the trade union bureau and the first chairman of the local committee — student and former sailor V. Bondarev — were elected. Thus, the trade union organization was established, undoubtedly making a significant contribution to the formation and development of FPI–KSTU.
In 1957, D.I. Chernyak, Head of the Department of Physical Education, was elected Chairman of the Local Committee. In subsequent years, the university’s trade union committee was headed by K. Abdykerimova (1965–1976), R.V. Shaposhnikova (1976–1986), S.T. Sarbanov (1986–1990), A.A. Chyngyshev (1990–1992), V.V. Belousov (1992–1998), A.F. Sultanbekov (1998–2005), and A.A. Suyumbaeva (2005–2023).
On June 20, 2023, a regular reporting and re-election trade union conference was held. The conference was attended by Asylbek Toktogulov, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers, and Marlen Mamataliyev, Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh. A.A. Suyumbaeva, who had served as Chairperson for more than 18 years, presented a report on the work accomplished over the past five years and voluntarily resigned, guided by the principles of rejuvenation and continuity within the team. Through alternative elections by secret ballot, Ajar Amankalievna Abylaeva was elected Chairperson of the Trade Union Committee.
It is impossible not to note the significant role played in the life of the trade union organization by its activists: L.G. Plotnikova, R.M. Ryskulbekova, O.I. Bogolyubova, L.Ya. Zakaryan, R.I. Olkhovaya, G.I. Degtyarev, Yu.T. Raspereza, L.K. Nikitina, L.I. Tyan, Yu.D. Surodin, K. Isakov, and many others.
At all times, the trade union committee has been devoted to improving working, study, living, and recreation conditions for the institute’s staff and students, including activities at the institute’s sports and health camp. Special attention was given to educational and cultural work, medical treatment, assistance in solving housing issues, the operation of the health center, amateur art festivals, and the establishment of women’s councils.
In 1969, an inter-university sanatorium-preventorium and a medical facility equipped with modern medical equipment were opened. During the summer period, the preventorium continued its work at the “Polytechnic” sports and recreation camp on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Student amateur performers repeatedly became laureates of the “Ala-Too Student Spring” festival.
In 1972, for achieving the highest results in the All-Union Socialist Competition and in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the USSR, the institute staff was awarded the Jubilee Honorary Badge of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions.
Following the results of the 1979 All-Union Review of Student Health Camps of Higher Educational Institutions, the “Polytechnic” camp was awarded a commemorative pennant and an honorary certificate from the USSR Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Higher School and Scientific Institutions Workers. In 1984, the institute was awarded the Rolling Red Banner and a First-Class Diploma for the successful fulfillment and overfulfillment of the targets of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
For many years, FPI successfully participated in the All-Union Socialist Competition for efficiency and quality in training specialists and was repeatedly recognized among the winners. Undoubtedly, R.V. Shaposhnikova, who led the trade union committee for many years, made a special contribution to the organization’s work. She was an excellent organizer of conferences, leisure evenings, meetings with distinguished guests, film screenings, and other events.
The staff still fondly remembers M.Ya. Minkelevich, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, a true enthusiast and talented organizer of leisure evenings, film lectures, and amateur art festivals, thanks to whom cultural activities at FPI were always maintained at a high level.
During the years of “Gorbachev’s perestroika,” the trade union committee was headed by S.T. Sarbanov. Changes affected many aspects of public life, including the functioning of the higher education system.
Under trade union supervision, cooperatives began to emerge within departments and divisions, primarily focused on promoting previously developed scientific, educational, and production achievements of faculty and staff. This enabled many to earn additional income through trade, resale, and intermediary services. At the same time, the trade union committee was entrusted with distributing scarce goods (not only essential items) and playing a leading role in anti-alcohol campaigns. In conditions where the first and last President of the USSR proclaimed “glasnost in everything,” the trade union committee structured its work based on principles of social justice.
Today’s trade union organization no longer sets the goal of being a “school of management, a school of economic management, a school of communism.” However, it continues to retain an important part of its former functions.
Throughout its activity, the trade union committee has made a significant contribution to the development of the university. Many believe that a trade union is only needed to obtain vouchers for sanatoriums and children’s camps. In reality, its scope of work is much broader. Although the work of the trade union committee is not always visible, it requires considerable time, attention to people, and care for their concerns.
It is a social partnership organization between the administration and employees in matters of economic, social, and legal protection of the interests of each union member and the entire workforce.
The main areas of activity of the trade union committee include:
• creating proper working conditions and ensuring compliance with occupational safety standards;
• resolving labor disputes in cases of labor law violations;
• conducting seminars and training courses for trade union leaders;
• organizing New Year celebrations for employees’ children;
• purchasing and distributing gifts;
• organizing tea gatherings on the Day of Older Persons;
• honoring World War II veterans and Afghan war veterans;
• providing financial assistance in cases of bereavement, illness, or surgery, and others.
Traditionally, the trade union committee organizes a free three-day trip for university faculty and staff to Lake Issyk-Kul, including team-building programs, competitions, and cultural activities. Despite the introduced moratorium, the committee allocates free vouchers to sanatoriums, holiday homes, resorts, and children’s health camps for union members’ children.
Today, the trade union committee cooperates with charitable foundations such as Kuwait Smart Generation, which provide assistance to employees in the form of coal, food, clothing, and school supplies. Cooperation is also maintained with external sponsors such as CJSC “Shoro,” LLC “Agroprod,” and “Tendercours.”
The trade union committee pays special attention to ethnic, traditional, and sports events both at the university and national levels.
For the first time in the history of KSTU, travel certificates were purchased and awarded for trips to Egypt (Sharm El-Sheikh), Vietnam (Nha Trang), Dubai (UAE), and Almaty, opening new horizons in social support, recreation, and motivation for union members.
Today, the KSTU trade union organization continues to develop the best traditions established over more than seventy years, actively advocating for improved working, economic, and social conditions for employees. As a major representative body, the trade union committee pursues its primary goal — representing employees’ interests before the university administration and maintaining close cooperation with university departments and public organizations.
