Josef Středula has been re-elected as president of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS), securing another four-year term at the helm of the country’s largest trade union federation. The vote took place during the ČMKOS congress held in Prague on Friday, April 24, 2026, where delegates confirmed Středula’s continued leadership with 90 out of 176 possible votes.
This marks Středula’s fourth consecutive term in office, extending his leadership since he first assumed the role in spring 2014. Despite facing two challengers, he won the election outright in the first round, a result that surprised even him, as he had anticipated a more competitive runoff. The outcome was announced by Jana Hnyková, head of the election commission, who confirmed the final tally shortly after voting concluded.
Alongside Středula’s re-election, the congress similarly renewed the mandates of the two vice-presidents: Radka Sokolová, a long-serving deputy chair, received 159 votes, and Lukáš Němec, head of the confederation’s human resources department, secured 158 votes out of 174 ballots cast for the vice-presidential positions. Both candidates garnered support from approximately 91% of participating delegates.
The ČMKOS congress, which convened over two days, served as a platform for discussing pressing economic and social issues affecting workers across the Czech Republic. Among the topics on the agenda were wage stagnation amid persistent inflation, the future of pension reform, and the organization’s stance on economic policy. Středula used the opportunity to reiterate his criticism of the nation’s reliance on subcontracting-based economic models, arguing that such structures undermine fair wages and job security.
According to ČMKOS data cited during the proceedings, the confederation represents 30 affiliated unions and had a membership of approximately 230,000 workers as of the previous year. Středula emphasized that despite fluctuations in union density and past challenges to his authority—including a temporary loss of union membership and leadership position in 2024 due to unpaid dues, and a period of weakened influence following his 2022 presidential candidacy—he has remained a central figure in Czech labor movements.
His continued leadership comes at a time of growing concern over living costs, with inflation eroding real wages and prompting renewed calls for collective bargaining strength. Středula has consistently advocated for stronger worker protections, increased minimum wages, and greater accountability from employers and policymakers alike.
The re-elected leadership team is expected to guide ČMKOS through the next four years, focusing on defending workers’ interests in negotiations with the government and private sector, particularly as economic pressures persist. No date has been set for the next ordinary congress, though the current mandate runs until 2030 unless extraordinary circumstances prompt an earlier session.
For ongoing updates on ČMKOS activities, labor policy developments, and union initiatives in the Czech Republic, readers are encouraged to follow official communications from the confederation or consult verified news sources covering European labor affairs.
Share your thoughts on the direction of Czech trade unionism under Středula’s renewed mandate. What priorities should labor leaders focus on in the coming years?