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.
Trade union rights are human rights. They are protected by international and regional treaties, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and others.
Trade union rights are human rights
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very clear: for 60 years, children throughout the world, regardless of race, class, gender, abilities, or disabilities, should have enjoyed the right to education. However the truth is: 72 million children are out of school and one in five adults (one in...
Everyone has the right to education
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world...
Enduring relevance 60 years on
Anti-unionism is a widespread phenomenon in the USA. Senator Bill Hare of Illinois from the Democratic Party spoke to a global union gathering in Washington DC on 13 January on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Act is a legislation proposed to ensure that workers have a free choice and...
Global Union representatives in the US to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act
Below is a moving letter from Farzad Kamangar, a 33-year-old Kurdish teacher unionist sentenced to death by Iranian courts, after a quick and unfair trial. The text of the letter is below, and it was written from the death row in the Evin Prison in Iran.
Letter from Iran: "Let my heart keep beating!"
EI has been informed that on December 18, Farzad Kamangar complained of severe pain and low blood pressure due to a chin inflammation, and he was again denied access to medical treatment.
Farzad Kamangar still at risk in the Evin Prison
Education International, the global voice of teachers and the world’s largest international union federation, is strengthening its support of national unions and workers’ rights by publishing its Trade Union Rights Manual, a guide for union activists around the world. The launch of the Manual is to coincide with the 60th...
International Human Rights Day: Education International launches new Trade Union Rights Manual
Latest reports from Zimbabwe show that more teachers than originally known were arrested in this week's crackdown by the Mugabe government in response to demonstrations protesting the financial and humanitarian crisis. In fact, of the 14 arrested, four remain in prison.
Zimbabwe: Ten teachers released, but four still incarcerated
Five leaders of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, including PTUZ General Secretary Raymond Majongwe, are among 48 trade unionists who were caught up in a wave of arrests across the country on 3 December.
Zimbabwe: Five teachers among sweep of arrests of union leaders
Teachers, trade unionists and human rights defenders around the world are mobilising in defence of Farzad Kamangar, an Iranian Kurdish teacher and trade unionist who is at risk of execution.
Iranian teacher unionist still alive, but remains at risk
Education International has been informed that Farzad Kamangar, the Iranian Kurdish teacher and social worker sentenced to death on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer, could be hanged on Wednesday 26 November 2008.
Alert: Iranian teacher unionist could be executed today
Joviel Acevedo has experienced many threats during his career as a union leader, but recently he was shocked to see reports in the media of his own assassination. The Guatemalan Education Workers Union (STEG) is concerned that the false news of their General Secretary's death was meant to threaten and...
Guatemala: teacher union leader's life threatened
Both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have enthusiastically welcomed the election of Barack Obama, a “friend of public education,” to the White House.
American education unions welcome Obama’s election
Five teachers and eight students have been killed, and nearly 30, 000 more students have been deprived of the right to education after the last schools still operating in Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu were closed in mid-October due to the unacceptable risk of violence.
Somalia: the end of education
The Global Call for Action Against Poverty, a growing movement of citizens across the world, is urging everyone once again to stand up and take action against poverty, and for equity and justice.
Urgent call to action: Stand up against poverty!
Iranian teachers trying to attend a trade union meeting have been illegally detained in Iran. Teacher trade unions convened the meeting to give members the opportunity to peacefully discuss possible activities to celebrate World Teachers Day. Every year on 5 October, millions of educators worldwide undertake public activities highlighting that...
Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting
Human Rights in China has learned that Liu Shaokun, a teacher who was sentenced to one year of Re-education Through Labour after posting online his photographs of collapsed school buildings in earthquake-affected areas, was released by the authorities on 24 September. He will now be permitted to serve his sentence...
Sichuan teacher who posted photos of collapsed schools now released from labour camp
The President of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, who was illegally arrested and held incommunicado under appalling conditions, has now been released from prison.
Zimbabwean teacher trade unionist released from prison