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 22 February 2011

    Georgia: Unions demand consultation on teacher qualification

    Georgia’s EI affiliate, the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union (ESFTUG), has responded to proposals for a new teachers’ certification process by calling on the Georgian Ministry of Education to engage with consultation.

    Georgia: Unions demand consultation on teacher qualification
  2. News 16 February 2011

    Colombia: killing of teacher unionists must end

    The Colombian teacher and trade unionist, Carlos Alberto Ayala, was shot dead on 5 February. The gunmen who murdered him had been laying in wait for him as he returned to his home in Puerto Asís.

    Colombia: killing of teacher unionists must end
  3. News 11 February 2011

    Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak

    Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as the President of Egypt. In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak has handed power to the military.

    Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak
  4. News 7 February 2011

    Day of action for democracy and civil rights in Egypt

    As Egypt operates under immense uncertainty following two weeks of deadly anti-government protests, trade unionists around the world are joining a Day of Action for Democracy on 8 February.

    Day of action for democracy and civil rights in Egypt
  5. News 3 February 2011

    EI condemns “desperate tactics” as Egypt uprising turns violent

    EI has called for Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak to bring an immediate end to the violence being led by his regime against peaceful demonstrators who continue to demand fundamental rights and democratic change.

    EI condemns “desperate tactics” as Egypt uprising turns violent
  6. News 31 January 2011

    Colombia: Murder of teacher unionists continue into 2011

    EI condemns the brutal murder of Colombian teacher trade unionist, Manuel Esteban Tejada, on 10 January. His assassination brings the death toll to 28 teacher unionists who have been killed in Colombia in the past year.

    Colombia: Murder of teacher unionists continue into 2011
  7. News 24 January 2011

    Tunisia faces teacher strike, protests against new government

    Teachers across Tunisia have gone on strike today, when many students intended to return to class, after weeks of mass protests that brought down the government of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

    Tunisia faces teacher strike, protests against new government
  8. News 13 January 2011

    Tunisia: Schools and universities shut down as teachers join protests

    Tunisia’s government has imposed curfews in the capital and shut down all schools and universities indefinitely after violent protests, during which scores of people have been killed.

    Tunisia: Schools and universities shut down as teachers join protests
  9. News 17 December 2010

    It’s time to ratify the Migrants Workers’ Convention

    On 18 December, International Migrants’ Day, EI is calling on governments to ratify the Migrant Workers’ Convention (UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families).

    It’s time to ratify the Migrants Workers’ Convention
  10. News 9 December 2010

    Human Rights Day: EI gives voice to teacher union activists’ rights

    As teacher trade unionists around the world mark International Day for Human Rights on 10 December, EI salutes the bravery of teachers who strive to tackle the violation of peoples' basic rights to live with human dignity and respect.

    Human Rights Day: EI gives voice to teacher union activists’ rights
  11. News 10 November 2010

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20

    EI will join the Global Unions at the G20 meetings, in Seoul, South Korea, to advocate for investment in education to remain high up the G20 recovery plan. EI will also call on the Korean government to respect trade union rights.

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20
  12. News 8 November 2010

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor

    EI has launched a new Urgent Action Appeal to call on the Government of Colombia to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned.

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor
  13. News 5 November 2010

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination

    EI’s Executive Board has approved a resolution of solidarity with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) and Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS).

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination
  14. News 28 October 2010

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea

    The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has denounced the imminent dismissal of 134 public schools’ teachers and trade unionists by the end of October, violating South Korea Local Education Act.

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea
  15. News 22 October 2010

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision

    The High Court in Izmir has yet again postponed until 1 February 2011 its decision in the case concerning 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teacher unionists from Egitim Sen.

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision
  16. News 21 October 2010

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision

    EI is supportive of teacher unionists in Northern Cyprus which face a condemnation by court on 25 October for protesting at funding cuts in education.

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision
  17. News 19 October 2010

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety

    EI and its affiliate, Colegio de Profesores, have welcomed the successful rescue of 33 miners in Copiapó, Chile, and called on authorities to guarantee workers’ rights to health and safety in the workplace.

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety