Employment practice unions (8.2.2)

Széchenyi István University recognises employees’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining through its Collective Agreement concluded with the institutional organisation of the Higher Education Employees’ Trade Union (FDSZ). The Agreement applies to all employees of the University, including those who are not members of the trade union, ensuring equal access to collectively negotiated employment conditions and benefits. The University formally supports the operation of the trade union, provides the conditions necessary for its activities, and guarantees its right to represent employees in matters related to employment, working conditions, social welfare, and labour rights. The trade union is entitled to participate in consultations, express opinions on employer decisions, and engage in collective bargaining on behalf of employees. This is explicitly stated in the scope of the Collective Agreement, which extends to all University employees and confirms that its normative provisions also apply to employees who are not members of the signatory trade union (Introduction, page 3).

The University formally supports the operation of the trade union and guarantees its right to represent employees in matters related to employment, working conditions, social welfare and labour rights. Annex 3 (“Rules Governing the Relationship between the University and the FDSZ Institutional Organisation”) states that the University declares its intention to cooperate with and support the trade union and facilitate its activities (Annex 3, Section 1(a), page 14).

The Agreement further provides that the trade union is entitled to communicate its opinions on employer decisions, initiate consultations, and represent employees regarding their economic, social, living and working conditions (Annex 3, Section 2(a)-(b), page 14).

In addition, the University ensures the practical conditions necessary for union activities, including office space, communication facilities, access to information, and consultation rights (Annex 3, Section 3, pages 14-15).

These provisions apply to all employees regardless of gender, nationality, or trade union membership status, demonstrating the University’s recognition of collective representation and collective bargaining rights for all staff, including women and international employees. The Collective Agreement is concluded with the FDSZ as the University’s representative trade union (Introduction, page 3).

Széchenyi István University’s Trade Union is the institutional branch of the Higher Education Employees’ Trade Union (Felsőoktatási Dolgozók Szakszervezete, FDSZ), the third-largest sectoral trade union in Hungary and a member of the Confederation of Unions of Professionals (Értelmiségi Szakszervezeti Tömörülés, ÉSZT). The union operates independently, with its own institutional leadership, membership structure, and communications, in addition to the rights and benefits set out in the Collective Agreement.