Trade union activity in Ukraine has been misunderstood for many years. One of the main problems in perceiving the trade union from the outside is the Soviet understanding of this organization. Quite often, professional trade union movements were created in the country, but they were completely subordinate to the leaders of these enterprises. Therefore, the rights of workers, the so-called 'unions', were defended only when they did not obstruct the managers of the plant or factory. Thus, the principle used by the 'unions' at that time was - the main enterprise is primary, and the worker is secondary.

But the trade union movement in the world developed differently and involves putting the rights of the worker at the forefront of its activities, and only then the interests of any industry. In general, a trade union is self-organization of workers to help other workers. Therefore, the main principle of a trade union is how much a worker feels protected, and to what extent they can be helped when needed. Such things became the basis for the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, Athletes, and Sphere Workers.

During the full-scale war, it was revealed that neither athletes nor military personnel had a sufficiently large professional trade union organization at a systemic level to help the defenders of Ukraine. Therefore, in the summer of 2023, a specialized organization for athletes and military personnel was established. Why such a combination? Firstly, many athletes went to war. Secondly, both athletes and military personnel represent society – the former represent Ukraine in international competitions, while the latter defend the country from the enemy. And thirdly, medical and social rehabilitation after injuries or wounds. Fourthly, social protection. Fifth, work at the international level.

Therefore, in March 2023, the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, Athletes, and Sphere Workers organized a series of peaceful rallies and events in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, under the walls of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), regarding the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic Games under a neutral flag. As a result, the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee for including