history

History of the Formation of the Primary Trade Union Organization at RUE “Minsk Pharmacy”

The history of the trade union movement of pharmacy workers in the Minsk region is closely connected with the history of the development of our republic. The trade union organization was established in the 1950s. At various times, it was headed by Vitaly Andreevich Fyodorov, Petr Dmitrievich Afanasyev, and Zinaida Ivanovna Lunkevich.
From 1977 to 1989, the trade union organization was headed by personnel department inspector Yevgeniya Alexandrovna Tsukanova. These were the years of creation, the adoption and implementation of five-year plans for the construction of socialism. The work of the trade union organization was based on active participation in fulfilling the socialist commitments of pharmacy workers in the region. Political briefings were held regularly, advanced experience schools were actively operating in pharmacies, the editorial board regularly published a wall newspaper, and for many years the trade union committee maintained a mutual assistance fund. The trade union committee actively participated in summing up the results of socialist competitions. Every year, tourist trips were organized for the best trade union workers of the region. Trade union members had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Transcarpathia, the Baltic States, Central Asia, Karelia; to visit museums and art galleries of Moscow and Leningrad; the museum cities of Samarkand and Bukhara; and Kizhi Island. All this helped unite the collective of pharmacy workers in the region and raise their cultural level. Competitions for children of pharmacy workers for the best drawing were held, New Year’s parties were organized, and New Year’s gifts were purchased.
From 1989 to 1992, Leonid Arkhipovich Kiselev was elected chairman of the trade union organization. These were the years of “perestroika.” All goods were distributed by ration cards (coupons). Many goods were issued from stores upon letters from the trade union organization and distributed among trade union members.
From 1993 to 2009, the regional trade union organization was headed by Natalya Alexandrovna Sapranovich. Many pharmacy workers left the trade union organization, and much had to be started from scratch. Life proved that trade unions are the only mass organization preserved from Soviet times that stands guard over the interests and rights of workers. The basis of the protective function of the trade union is the collective agreement, which makes it possible to truly protect the rights and interests of employees.
From 2009 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2019, the chairman of the trade union organization of RUE “Minsk Pharmacy” was Natalya Vladimirovna Novikova. 
From 2014 to 2016, the chairman of the trade union organization of RUE “Minsk Pharmacy” was Yulia Borisovna Mikheychik. 
From 2019 to 2024, the chairman of the trade union organization of RUE “Minsk Pharmacy” was Alena Nikolaevna Mikulich. 
Since June 2024, Kristina Andreevna Dubkova has been elected acting chairman. The new trade union leader continues the traditions established in the organization.
Every year, the attention of pharmacy managers and trade union committees to the development of physical culture and sports as a means of improving the health of workers, reducing morbidity, and improving the health of employees and their families, as well as fostering a healthy lifestyle and the rational organization of leisure time, is increasing.
The trade union committee of RUE “Minsk Pharmacy” has become an initiator of a healthy lifestyle: skis, tourist tents, a tennis table for the pharmacy warehouse, and other sports equipment have been purchased and installed.
Trade union members actively participate in sports days and regional competitions in various sports. Pharmacy workers’ teams are awarded certificates and diplomas for prize places, employees’ children actively take part in contests, New Year’s gifts are purchased, and cultural outings to the theater, circus, etc., are organized. To attract employees to folk art, foster national pride through folk art, and enhance cultural leisure activities, annual national reviews and competitions of amateur art groups and individual performers are held. Pharmacy employees take an active part in them.