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+38 (050) 336 44 57 office@mtwtu.org.ua

Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine (MTWTU)

80,000
Trade Union members
55,000
seafarers
10,000
cadets and students
5,000
port workers
10,000
shore workers

History of MTWTU

A past that inspires – experience that leads forward

  • 2025

    Continuation of international cooperation

    Active participation in the work of ITF and ETF, development of partnerships with European institutions to support the Ukrainian maritime industry.

  • 2022

    Modern war challenges

    The MTWTU focuses on humanitarian aid and protecting the Trade Union members' rights during the war, both in Ukraine and abroad.

  • 2021

    Oleg Grygoriuk elected MTWTU Chairman

    Under new leadership, the Union continues to actively develop international relations and adapt its activities to modern challenges.

  • 2018

    Opening of the MTWTU Maritime Union Center

    The Center became a modern platform for supporting seafarers, training Union members, and collaborating with partners.

  • 2015

    Opening of a new office: Rebirth of MTWTU

    The new office became a symbol of the Union's revival and its readiness to continue fighting for the rights of maritime transport workers in Ukraine.

  • 2014

    Loss of offices in Odesa and Kyiv

    MTWTU lost its offices in Odesa and Kyiv due to incidents related to political instability. Despite this, the organization’s work continued without interruption.

  • 2003

    Joining the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)

    This step opened up new opportunities for cooperation with European partners and strengthened support for Ukrainian seafarers in the EU.

  • 2002

    New Union era

    Under the leadership of Michael Kirieiev, the Trade Union began to actively implement new standards for the protection of seafarers' rights and expand international cooperation.

  • 2000

    Development of social partnership

    Conclusion of 10 industry agreements with the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine aimed at improving working conditions and social guarantees for maritime industry workers.

  • 1993

    Joining the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

    Joining the ITF has ensured support and protection of Ukrainian seafarers' and dockers' rights at the international level

  • 1992

    Founding of MTWTU

    Official registration of the Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine. Its main task was to represent and protect the maritime industry workers' interests in independent Ukraine.

  • 1940

    1940s – Beginning of organized trade union activity

    Formation of trade union associations in the maritime transport sector during the Soviet period, which became the foundation for the future activities of MTWTU.

  • 1905

    Beginnings of the trade union movement in water transport

    The first strikes in maritime transport, including the protest by seafarers on the steamship «Chikhachov», marked the beginning of the struggle for the maritime transport workers' rights.

Карта України на фоні

MTWTU today

The Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine is one of the largest national industry unions

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