All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
The Congress of the Centrale de syndicats du Québec highlighted the importance of education’ trade unions for workers, students and society as a whole, and acknowledged the work of two eminent union leaders, Louise Chabot and Daniel Lafrenière.
Canada: EI honours two prominent union leaders from Quebec
Thousands of Chilean educators, students and activists have reaffirmed their support to building a new education system, that is non-sexist and free of violence, abuse and discrimination. Education unionists mobilise to fight gender violence in the classroom
Chile: educators stand up against sexism, harassment, abuse and discrimination in education
The Supreme Court of the United States just delivered a painful blow to working people and to the unions which stand up for their rights. In a narrow 5 to 4 vote, the justices decided in the Janus v. AFSCME case, that public sector unions must use their resources to...
Unions vow to remain strong despite Janus ruling
Canadian teachers, like our colleagues worldwide, are united in a desire to make the world a better place by confronting social injustices such as racism. In our troubled times, disturbing signs of a resurgent neo-Nazi, white supremacist movement have got teachers across North America talking about how best to confront...
Fighting racism with the light of learning, by Glen Hansman
“We have entered an age of new brutalism,” ILO Director General Guy Ryder told delegates of the 5th World Congress of UNI in Liverpool on 19 June. “We have entered an age where it is OK to dehumanize those who are rejected, who are marginalized, who are different or who...
ILO Director General denounces “New Brutalism”
The Union Network International (UNI) elected Christy Hoffman, a labour leader from the United States, as its new General Secretary.
UNI Global Union elects Christy Hoffman as General Secretary
Education International has encouraged the fifteen education unions in Burkina Faso to take an active part in a multi-partner project aimed at concertedly developing new policies for teachers.
Burkina Faso: Education unions are key to developing quality policies for teachers
In a common front involving three trade unions, around 600 education trade union activists have clearly expressed their opposition to workload increases.
Belgium: Trade unions concerned about increased workloads for teachers
I would like to thank Education International for giving Colprosumah the opportunity to participate in the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference at the ILO in Geneva, Switzerland on behalf of this global teachers’ federation of which we are proudly members. Our participation focused on denouncing the inequalities and...
Why it’s important to have a voice at the International Labour Conference, by Roberto Trochez Bardales
At this year’s International Labour Conference, Education International has reaffirmed the need for providing all workers, in particular, those in education, with respectful work places that ensure equality and non-discrimination, as well as social dialogue, in order to achieve quality education for all.
ILC 2018: EI makes the case for ensuring quality, non-discriminatory and non-violent work environments
Arab teacher union leaders have reasserted the need for public authorities in their region to listen to teacher organisations carefully, especially concerning current burning issues in their schools, notably refugee students and educators.
Arab countries’ unions crucial to achieve international goals on education in their region
As public authorities have not yet increased teacher salaries and lowered their workload, the ‘Code Red’ actions for primary education continue; moving to eastern provinces of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands: mobilisation of education unionists for quality primary education
Education International brings the voice of teachers and education personnel to the 107th session of the International Labour Conference.
International Labour Conference: teachers’ concerns highlighted
Kurdistan’s education trade union was successful in easing drastic salary cuts planned for teachers.
Iraq: Teachers’ salary cuts limited
Education International has called for the release of Iranian teacher unionists Mohammad Habibi and Esmail Abdi, while global human rights organisation Amnesty International has also called for Abdi’s release as a prisoner of conscience.
Iran: Campaign to free jailed teacher unionists gathers pace
70,000 people participated in a demonstration organised in defence of pensions. The government plans to change the pensions in a manner that might put them at risk.
Belgium: trade unions united for decent pensions that let workers grow old with dignity.
While welcoming the 15 April release on bail of Iranian educator unionist Mohammad Habibi after 44 days of detention, Education International urges the Iranian authorities to set jailed trade unionists free.
Iran: Teacher unionist Mohamed Habibi released
Education International took part in a solidarity rally for Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on 11 April.
Education unions mobilise to reinforce Brazilian democracy