This is exactly how one can describe the processes related to the trade union movement currently taking place at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University. If earlier we had to mention new trends in the student trade union (there, I remind you, the reporting and election conference was postponed to mid-April), now the baton has been taken up by the "adult" trade union – of teachers and employees of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University. On March 23, a reporting and election conference of the trade union of teachers and employees of VSU was held in the main building of VSU. One of the issues that caused the greatest resonance was the election of a new or re-election of the old trade union head. Let me remind you that this trade union was headed for many years (2 terms of 5 years each) by Metkalyk Ivan Vasyliovych. This is a person with experience in trade union work, but of quite advanced age and conservative thinking. He was nominated by separate trade union groups for a third term as head. And so it might have been. After all, the Rector of VSU himself, Oleks eiuk I.D., spoke out that it would be good if Mr. Metkalyk were again entrusted with the chairmanship of the trade union (although it is strange, because ideally – a good trade union – is a dissatisfied employer!!!). And a significant part of the trade union members supported this candidate – some were truly sincere supporters of the long-time head of the trade union committee, some, trying not to delve into the matter, said let it be the one who already is, why the extra hassle – of changing something. But still, there was a group of proactive teachers who were tired of constantly staying silent and not reacting to what was happening around them – they spoke out criticizing the activities of the current trade union committee and advocated for the election of a new trade union head. One of the first to speak up was the Faculty of Ukrainian Studies – it was the philology teachers who openly stated at the meeting that changes in the trade union should also concern a change in the people who lead it. Teachers of the pedagogical faculty also spoke in support of this thesis. On the eve, trade union meetings were convened at both faculties, which adopted a decision: to express no confidence in the current head Metkalyk, to recognize the work of the trade union committee as unsatisfactory, and to elect Kravchuk V.V. to the position of head of the trade union committee. In parallel with these critical statements heard at the trade union conference, a small picket was taking place under the main building of VSU. VSU professors Nisimchuk A.S. and Yarosh B.O., together with a small group of teachers and students, were thus expressing their protest against the opaque process of electing delegates to the trade union conference, the filtering out of "undesirable" trade union members, and the possible re-election of Metkalyk I.V. as head. In a word, the tension in the hall was growing and one could feel that there would be either a great breakthrough or a serious failure. But despite everything, the teachers participating in the conference had enough courage to overcome their own indifference and fear, and they brought the "spirit of the Orange Revolution" into the hall where the conference was taking place. First, critical statements were heard directed at the current trade union leadership, pointing out specific miscalculations and problems. Then it was announced aloud that there were alternative candidates for the position of head of the trade union committee. And after a decision was adopted to hold a vote on the candidacy for head of the trade union committee by secret ballot, the majority of conference participants began to behave much more boldly. There were already ballots with the candidates' surnames, a ballot box, and a counting commission conducting the vote. That is, the atmosphere became truly democratic. And therefore the result of the secret ballot turned out to be quite telling – of the 118 delegates who took part in the vote, 84 voted for the new head of the trade union committee, Kravchuk Volodymyr Vasylovych – a senior lecturer of the language department of the Faculty of Ukrainian Studies at VSU. The former head, Mr. Metkalyk, received only 19 votes. The third candidate was Mr. Mandryk – his result was also insignificant – 13 votes. Thus, the teaching staff of VSU elected a new head of their trade union and thereby continued to implement the idea put forward by the Maidan – the replacement at all levels of society of people of the old system. Also, by this decision, the new concept of trade union activity was supported – "reasonable opposition" to the university administration. After all, as Mr. Kravchuk said: "if a trade union does not quarrel with the university administration, then what kind of trade union is it and whom does it protect?" I hope that this breakthrough will be a good start for the activation of the educational movement of the university and will remind teachers that they are the intelligentsia, which should be the stratum that offers society new trends and demonstrates their advantage over old ideas. This can also become a good example for the students of the university, who should learn to take an interest in what is happening around them and to influence these processes, including trade union activity. Also, I will allow myself to express the opinion that this conference became a kind of "wake-up call" for the university administration and all those retrograde people who think that the "Orange Revolution" will not affect them. It showed that educators are not "goats" as the previous regime made them out to be, and that they have the right to decide for themselves who can better manage them. And the rector's election is not far off. So let's wait...