Ei-iE

Union growth

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.

Our work in this area

  1. News 20 December 2016

    Colombian academic speaks about armed conflict and human rights

    Together with Education International Deputy General Secretary David Edwards, Colombian academic Miguel Ángel Beltrán discusses challenges to the implementation of human and trade union rights in his country.

    Colombian academic speaks about armed conflict and human rights
  2. News 12 December 2016

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders

    On the heels of International Human Rights Day, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ education programme Speak Truth to Power has launched a free online course for Spanish speakers.

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders
  3. News 8 December 2016

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises

    For the first time ever, education trade unions in Niger have called for a national strike to demand the integration of contract teachers into the civil service, and the payment of wage arrears.

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises
  4. News 6 December 2016

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance

    To celebrate International Human Rights Day, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen says we must look to the instruments of the United Nations and its agencies that enshrine those rights in international law and culture.

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance
  5. News 23 November 2016

    Speak up for Turkish educators now!

    Education International has released an urgent action appeal for Turkey asking for worldwide action and financial solidarity with E?itim-Sen and the education community in this country.

    Speak up for Turkish educators now!
  6. News 16 November 2016

    Voyage to international conference becomes an odyssey for Colombian academic

    Miguel Angel Beltrán, a prominent academic invited to deliver a keynote on free speech at Education International’s higher education conference in Ghana had to once again overcome political discrimination in order to reach his destination.

    Voyage to international conference becomes an odyssey for Colombian academic
  7. News 15 November 2016

    Canada: teachers are victorious as bargaining rights acknowledged by Supreme Court

    After a hard-fought and divisive judicial battle, British Columbia’s educators are celebrating a Supreme Court decision that reaffirms collective bargaining rights and opens the door to the hiring of hundreds of teachers.

    Canada: teachers are victorious as bargaining rights acknowledged by Supreme Court
  8. News 2 November 2016

    Ecuador: Brutal persecution of teacher unionists is worsening

    Rosana Palacios, President of the National Union of Educators (UNE), has been threatened with criminal prosecution and prohibited from speaking in the name of her union.

    Ecuador: Brutal persecution of teacher unionists is worsening
  9. Take action! 2 November 2016

    Freedom for Iranian teacher union leader Esmail Abdi

    Education International calls on its members to take action and protest against the six-year jail sentence imposed on Mr. Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association. The sentence was announced on 7 October by Branch 36 of the Appeal Court of Tehran.

    Freedom for Iranian teacher union leader Esmail Abdi
  10. News 2 November 2016

    Iran: global campaign launched to free teacher union leader

    Education International has called on its member organisations to take swift action to firmly protest the unwarranted six-year jail sentence imposed on Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association.

    Iran: global campaign launched to free teacher union leader
  11. News 28 October 2016

    Kenya: a new salary deal for all teachers

    This week concludes with good news for teacher unions in Kenya, as Education International affiliates KNUT and KUPPET signed a historic collective bargaining agreement, which includes a significant salary boost.

    Kenya: a new salary deal for all teachers
  12. News 20 October 2016

    Former member of EI staff receives top USA human rights award

    Education International has warmly welcomed the announcement that the 2016 Edward O’Brien Award for Human Rights Education is awarded to Human Rights Education Associates’ Founder, and former Education International’s research coordinator, Felisa Tibbitts.

    Former member of EI staff receives top USA human rights award
  13. News 13 October 2016

    Nigeria: bittersweet news as 21 kidnapped Chibok girls are released

    Education International (EI) joins with the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education in welcoming the rescue of 21 kidnapped Chibok girls while urging the focus to return to the 200 still missing.

    Nigeria: bittersweet news as 21 kidnapped Chibok girls are released
  14. News 6 October 2016

    The time is now to strengthen global trade unionism

    The Global Labour University invites trade unionists from all over the world to register for its ENGAGE Programme with the aim of strengthening the intellectual and strategic capacity of workers and their organisations.

    The time is now to strengthen global trade unionism
  15. News 3 October 2016

    Germany: teachers’ union calls for inclusive school policies and systems

    The German education union GEW has placed special focus on the relationship between integration and democracy after hosting its national congress under the slogan “One for all – an inclusive school for democracy.”

    Germany: teachers’ union calls for inclusive school policies and systems
  16. News 28 September 2016

    Myanmar: teachers work from the ground up to strengthen union

    With a young democracy as its backdrop, the Myanmar Teachers Federation continues to build its ranks across the country with the help of Education International and its affiliates’ experience one year after its creation.

    Myanmar: teachers work from the ground up to strengthen union