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 fight for quality public education in Chile is counting on increasing international support, as teachers and students take to the streets to defend their rights in the face of new reforms.
Chilean educators receive international support to have their voices heard
Helping teachers to embrace their universal rights in and outside of the classroom was the focus of hands-on training sessions held in Zimbabwe last month to foster a strong culture of rights.
Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture
Sakine Esen Yilmaz and Mehmet Bozgeyik, the current and former general secretaries of the Turkish education union, E?itim Sen, are to be presented with the FNV’s « Febe Elisabeth Vasquez » prize at the end of May. The prize is awarded to trade union leaders who have fought for human...
“I can be sent back to prison at any time»
Two Turkish trade unionists have been awarded the Febe Elisabeth Velasquez trade union award 2015 for their exceptional trade union work by the biggest trade union confederation in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded
Kosovo’s teacher unionists have ended their strike after public authorities began implementing the collective agreement signed between their trade union and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Kosovo: government to respect collective agreement after pressure from educators
The international higher education community mourns the death of an American colleague, Dr Warren Weinstein, who was held hostage by al-Qaida on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan since 13 August 2011.
Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike
A memorandum of understanding signed by the Malagasy Ministry of Education and trade unions and associations infringes trade union rights, according to teacher trade unions in Madagascar.
Madagascar: Calls for dialogue around trade union rights and quality education
A strike by 17 teachers at a privately-run government funded school north of Oslo in Norway has ended, representing a victory for the teachers who were on strike since 18 March.
Norway: Collective agreement a victory for teachers
Over 270 girls are still missing in Nigeria, one year after their abduction. Educators worldwide have not forgotten about them and reiterate that schools everywhere must remain safe sanctuaries.
Nigeria: Education community concerned about girls still missing after one year
Over 270 girls are still missing in Nigeria, one year after their abduction. Educators worldwide have not forgotten about them and reiterate that schools everywhere must remain safe sanctuaries.
Nigeria: Education community concerned about girls still missing after one year
Hans Engelberts, General Secretary of the Public Services International from 1981 until 2007, died after a long illness on 12 April.
Strong Advocate for Public Services, Former PSI General Secretary Hans Engelberts, dies
Education International has named two teacher union leaders from Iraq and the Philippines to be awarded human rights and education prizes for their outstanding commitment, engagement and courage in promoting education for all.
Education awards go to Iraqi and Filipino leaders
Teachers at a privately run government school have exercised their right to strike following management’s demand that they cut their ties with the Union of Education Norway.
Norway: private school teachers denied collective bargaining rights
What are global workers’ rights? Which institutions and instruments can be used to realise them? The Global Labour University has launched an online course on Workers’ Rights in a Global Economy to help answer these questions, among others.
Global Labour University offers a course on workers' rights in a global economy
Education International has demanded that Myanmar’s public authorities stop the violent crackdown on student protests calling for changes to the National Education Law, and include them along educators’ representatives in the parliamentary discussions.
Myanmar: trade unions condemn the terrible crackdown on students
Korean teacher unions are actively defending their members’ status in moves to ensure that teachers’ pensions are protected benefit and that legal assistance is on-hand to protect their rights.
Korea: Unions defend teachers on multiple fronts
Teacher unions from Zimbabwe and Niger answered Education International’s call to support the Global Action Day on the Right to Strike by organising and spearheading various activities that stressed the importance of taking labour action.
The right to strike worth fighting for in Zimbabwe and Niger
The excessive workloads and working hours facing teachers in the UK have been clearly established in figures published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to mark its annual Work Your Proper Hours Day.
UK: Survey highlights plight of teachers