SSM functions as the oldest, representative trade union and social partner in the country and prioritises activities and measures that will contribute to the revival and development of the economy as a basis for the overall progress of society, and the priority is the rights, interests and needs of workers.
The First Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, then called the Unified Trade Unions of Workers and Employees of Macedonia, was held on August 18-21, 1946, in a park in Skopje, Macedonia, at a time when the working class was leading a successful struggle for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.
The First Free Trade Union Congress of Workers in Macedonia, in addition to its mobilisation significance, significantly contributed to the further organisational strengthening and training of trade unions for the construction of the country.
The period from the first Congress of SSM onwards is of great importance for the working class, and SSM, as a class workers' organisation, encompassed almost the entire working class in Macedonia.
Since its establishment, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia has had 20 Presidents, including: Asparuh Korubinoski, Dimitrie Aleksieski–Pekar, Aco Icev, Borko Temelkovski, Strahil Gigov, Boge Kuzmanovski, Blagoja Taleski, Pavle Davkov, Dzemail Vejseli, Gjorgji Uzunovski, Vanco Bliznakovski, Aleksandar Donev, Vasil Kostojchinovski, Miroslav Georgievski, Svetozar Vasilevski, Zivko Tolevski, Vanco Muratovski, Zivko Mitrevski, Darko Dimovski and Slobodan Trendafilov.
The last Congress of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Macedonia was held on 30.06.2023, and Slobodan Trendafilov was elected President at the same time.
The Federation Confederation of Macedonia has been a full member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) since 2011, of the SOLIDARITY Regional Trade Union Council and of the Pan-European Regional Trade Union Council of South-East Europe (ITUC-PERK), and since 2015 it has been a full member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Proudly, today, SSM is the most significant part of trade union history, and the activity of SSM continues to be a hallmark of trade unionism in the country.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (FTUM) today unites and represents the common social, economic and social interests of its membership and workers, and 18 higher-level trade unions (branch unions) are united in SSM, member unions, as follows: Trade Union of Workers from the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Republic of Macedonia (AGRO Union); Trade Union of Workers from the Catering, Tourism, Communal-Housing Economy, Crafts and Protective Societies of the Republic of Macedonia (SUTKOZ); Trade Union for Construction, Industry and Design of Macedonia (SGIP); Trade Union of Workers from the Administration, Judicial Bodies and Citizens' Associations of the Republic of Macedonia (UPOZ); Independent Trade Union for Health, Pharmacy and Social Protection of the Republic of Macedonia; Trade Union of Textile, Leather and Shoe Industry Workers of the Republic of Macedonia (STKČ); Trade Union of Industry, Energy and Mining of Macedonia (SIER); Trade Union of Transport and Communications Workers of the Republic of Macedonia (SRSVM); Trade Union of Chemistry, Non-Metals and Metals of Macedonia (SHNM); Macedonian Police Trade Union (MPS); Trade Union of Postal and Telecommunications Workers of Macedonia (SPTRM); Trade Union of Trade Workers of the Republic of Macedonia (SRT); Trade Union for Free Action of Macedonia (SSDM); Trade Union of Financial Activities of Macedonia (SFDM); Trade Union of Postal and Telecommunications Operators of Macedonia (SPTOM); Trade Union of Media Information Agency – (SMIA); Independent Trade Union for Education and Science (NSON); Trade Union of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia (SKRM);
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia is the sole signatory to the General Collective Agreement for the Private Sector in the field of economy and the General Collective Agreement for the Public Sector, and through the General Collective Agreements it provides and regulates more favorable rights for all workers in the private and public sectors, while the unions affiliated to the CSM have concluded 13 collective agreements at the department or group level (branch collective agreements), as follows:
1. Collective Agreement for Healthcare of the Republic of Macedonia;
2 . Collective Agreement for Social Protection of the Republic of Macedonia;
3 . Collective Agreement for the Textile Industry of the Republic of Macedonia;
4 . Collective Agreement for the Leather and Shoe Industry of the Republic of Macedonia;
5. Collective Agreement for Employees in Agriculture and the Food Industry;
6 . Collective Agreement for Employees in the Tobacco Industry;
7 . Collective Agreement for Chemical Industry;
8 . Collective Agreement of the Ministry of Interior;
9 . Collective Agreement for Communal Activities
10. Collective Agreement for Protective Societies of Macedonia;
11. Collective Agreement for Catering of the Republic of Macedonia;
12. Collective agreement for the state administration bodies, expert services of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, courts, public prosecutor's offices, penal and correctional and educational institutions, the State Attorney's Office, municipalities, the City of Skopje, municipalities in the City of Skopje, agencies, funds and other bodies established by the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia;
13. Collective Agreement on Culture of the Republic of Macedonia
Also, the SSM participates in the work of: the Economic and Social Council, the National Council for European Integration, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, the Coordinating Body for Corporate Social Responsibility, the National Coordinating Body for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, the Management Boards of: the Employment Agency, the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, the Health Insurance Fund.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia is a representative trade union at the territorial level, in the public and private sectors.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia is a trade union.
