The Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions (EAKL) is the legal successor to the central organisation, which was founded in 1927 as the Estonian Confederation of Labour Unions. EAKL was re-established on 12 April 1990 at the Estonian Trade Union Congress in Tallinn.
The story of the Estonian trade union movement goes back more than a century. Trade unions were born out of the need to defend workers' rights, to stand up for better working conditions and to offer solidarity where the individual worker would be left on his own.
Trade unions are considered to have begun in March 1906, when the tsarist authorities allowed the formation of free associations after the 1905 revolution. This was the first opportunity for workers to legally stand up for their rights. The first legal trade unions were the Men's and Women's Tailors' Trade Union and the Metalworkers' Trade Union in Tallinn, which, in addition to labour and wage disputes, organised vocational training and provided social support. By the end of the year, there were already 11 trade unions operating in Estonia.
In 1919, a large trade union movement quickly developed in the Republic of Estonia. Unions were set up in both urban and rural areas, in the main fields of commercial activity. They were successful in improving the wage conditions of their members and also offered membership discounts.
The First Congress of Estonian Trade Unions was held in Tallinn on 30-31 August 1919 and was attended by 412 delegates. The congress was dominated by the Bolsheviks, who criticised the Social Democrats, the government and the bourgeoisie, and called for peace with Soviet Russia. On the second day, the government banned the congress, the house was surrounded by the army, the participants were registered and 102 people were arrested.
In the years that followed, the communists brought political activity to the forefront of the unions. By 1924, democratic aims had been abandoned and the trade unions were used as a tool of political struggle. The move away from the trade union tradition in Western Europe led to a loss of confidence among workers and reduced the willingness of employers to cooperate with trade unions. The consequences of this extended into the 1930s and stunted the development of the trade union movement for a long time.
In 1927, the Estonian Confederation of Workers' Unions (ETK) was founded in Tallinn, which united the trade unions under a single organisation. The trade union movement grew rapidly, and by 1939 there were 143 trade unions in Estonia in various fields from industry to catering. The ETK united Estonian trade unions until 1940.
At the beginning of the Soviet occupation, trade unions were reorganised by branch and their independence was abolished in 1940. Although the trade unions continued to exist during the occupation, they had no real right of representation and workers' interests were not protected in the enterprises.
The Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions (EAKL) was re-established on 12 April 1990 at the Tallinn Trade Union Congress. Although membership has declined, trade unions continue to be important partners in the social dialogue with employers and the state.
In Estonia today, there are strong trade unions with a large membership in areas such as education, healthcare, rescue service and transport. In these sectors, trade unions have achieved secure wage increases, involvement in decision-making and better working conditions.
The importance of trade unions and social dialogue in the European Union has grown steadily in recent years. A number of pieces of legislation supporting workers' welfare have been adopted, such as the Adequate Minimum Wage and the Pay Transparency Directives. This legislation increases workers' confidence and strengthens the role of trade unions throughout Europe, including in Estonia.
1872 - Early workers' movement in Estonia, with workers' circles and clubs.
1906 - The first legal trade unions start operating in Estonia, by the end of the year there are 11 of them. The central task of trade unions is wage disputes.
1917 - New unions are formed and membership continues to grow. The unions' central line of action is to seek improvements in wages and working conditions.
1919 - A large trade union movement quickly develops in the Republic of Estonia. The first congress of Estonian trade unions is held in Tallinn, where a resolution calls for peace with Soviet Russia. The government bans the congress on Day II and 102 delegates are arrested.
1924 - Under the influence of the communists, political activity in trade unions came to the fore and the unions were used as a tool of political struggle. The repercussions extended into the 1930s and stunted the development of the trade union movement for a long time.
17-18 April 1927 - The founding conference of the Estonian Confederation of Workers' Unions is held in Tallinn, marking the beginning of the rapid growth and strengthening of trade unions.
1939 - 143 trade unions are registered in Estonia.
1940 - With the beginning of the Soviet occupation, trade unions lose their independence and become part of the state system.
12 April 1990 - trade unions regain their independence, a central union is re-established under the name of the Estonian Trade Union Confederation (EAKL).
1990s-2000s - Trade unions adapt to changes in the market economy, privatisation and labour law.
2020s - New forms of work, such as platform and teleworking, will challenge trade unions to stand up for workers' rights; the European Union will strengthen the role of trade unions with adequate minimum wages, wage transparency and other directives.
The history of trade unions shows that change can be achieved by working together. But the future depends on how many workers decide to join unions and how strong we can stand together as workers for our rights.
