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.
In the light of violence that culminated in the murder of Brazilian politician and city councilor Marielle Franco in Rio de Janeiro on 14 March, and with the judicial and media persecution of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Education International has urged President Temer to ensure the respect...
Education International urges Brazil to revert to ‘beacon of democracy’
The Education Trade Union in Finland, Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö has welcomed the support given by parents and citizens to the status and living and working conditions of early childhood educators.
Finland: Parents march to demand better salary for early childhood education teachers
Teacher unionists Esmail Abdi and Roberto Baradel have been recognised by the UK’s National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers for their fight for the rights of teachers and quality education in Iran and Argentina respectively.
UK: education unionists in solidarity with Iranian and Argentinian colleagues
Education International joins its affiliate the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in expressing alarm about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines, as the country’s State Prosecutor is seeking to have teachers, Indigenous peoples’ leaders and human rights defenders declared terrorists and outlaws.
Philippines: Criminalisation of indigenous leaders and human rights defenders
Over the last few years I have researched and written a good deal about ‘union renewal’ – the process by which unions (re-)connect with their grassroots and create vibrant, inclusive and collective cultures that empower members to be the educators they want to be, working in the systems they aspire...
The UK University Strike – union renewal in action, by Howard Stevenson.
During Global Francophonie Week, the Comité syndical francophone de l'éducation et de la formation recalled the need for democracy around the world, which necessarily requires “free quality public education funded mainly by States”.
The responsibility of the French-speaking public authorities in guaranteeing quality public education for all is reaffirmed
The Universities’ Academic Staff Union, an Education International’s affiliate in Kenya, is involved in a labour dispute with the employers’ federation for public universities over the negotiation and implementation of a collective bargaining agreement.
Kenya: Higher education sector maintains pressure on employers for social dialogue
While the country has faced a major strike in defense of public services, the French unions members of Education International recall their concerns for the status of government teachers, the quality of education and social dialogue.
France: education unions extremely worried for the quality of education public services
The International Trade Union Confederation and Education International have strongly condemned Cambodian public authorities’ decision to fire 11 teachers and education officers.
Cambodia: Global union movement unites in defence of fired education employees
Education International is sad to learn of the passing of Donald C. Savage, an inspiring educator and committed union leader. He was 85.
Passing of outstanding Canadian education unionist
Participants from Education International’s member organisations were among the over 100 trade unionists from 42 countries at the 62nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which got underway in New York on 12 March.
CSW 62: education trade unionists push for achievement of gender equality and empowerment of rural women and girls
The recent arrest of a teacher and board member of the Tehran branch of the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association (ITTA) at his school starkly illustrates the continuing persecution of teacher unionists in Iran.
Iranian teacher unionist arrested
Driven by the desperate situation of Syrian children, Education International has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to increase the pressure on all parties to the conflict.
UN Human Rights Council addresses abuse of children’s rights in Syria
Despite conflict in the Central African Republic, teachers are fighting to ensure that the education system functions and that trade union rights are respected.
Central African Republic: Conflict not the only issue facing teachers
Substantial progress was made by the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union in discussions with public authorities to guarantee proper functioning of the Iraqi education system and provide decent living conditions for teachers.
Iraq: Commitments to education improvements given to Kurdistan Teachers Union in social dialogue
The Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación, in an extraordinary Congress, modified its statutes, including adopting a provision that 50 per cent of its leadership positions must be held by women. They elected their leadership and strengthened their commitment to achieve improved teachers’ working and living conditions and quality...
Mexico: SNTE Congress elects leaders and confirms unity amidst challenging times
Thousands of university staff have taken part in the biggest strike the UK higher education sector has ever seen, and successfully brought employers to the table for negotiations on social benefits.
UK: higher education personnel full steam ahead to protect social benefits and decent pensions
As Education International convenes its regional affiliates in Trinidad and Tobago, the challenges they face are as varied as they are common, from strengthening democracy, ensuring quality education to the future of trade unionism.
North American and Caribbean education leaders work towards strong leadership in times of crises