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.
Better employment conditions and quality education are two sides of the same coin, said Ulrich Thöne in his address to the national congress of the German education union, Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), held in Nuremberg from 25-28 Apr.
EI at the GEW national congress in Germany: "Quality education for all is the key to economic recovery in all countries"
The joint Global Unions statement by Education International, the Public Services International (PSI) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) was presented today to the 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) currently held from 20-24 April in Geneva, Switzerland.
EI-PSI-ITUC Joint statement presented to the UN Durban Conference
A Burmese teacher activist and four other trade unionists were arrested earlier this month after taking part in the historic first National Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB).
Burmese teacher and other unionists detained
EI, together with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Public Services International (PSI), adopted a statement supporting the work of the 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) currently held from 20-24 April in Geneva, Switzerland.
EI and other Global Unions show support to UN Durban Review Conference
The G20 Summit in London last week was not a catastrophe. That, in itself, was an achievement of sorts. That the leaders of the G8 countries joined with the emerging economies, together representing 90% of the global economy and the world’s population, to produce a detailed communiqué recognizing the gravity...
EI: The G20 Summit was just the beginning
No government should interfere in the internal democratic affairs of any teacher union, says EI in a letter addressed to the minister of civil society Dr Al-Zubaidi on 30 March.
Iraq: EI seeks clarification on alleged harassment of teacher union by government
The G20 Summit in London produced a better than expected result. Leaders recognized that the gravity of the financial crisis demanded a common commitment to re-start the world economy. They pledged “to do whatever is necessary to... restore confidence, growth and jobs.”
G20 must back promises with action
Ramiro Cuadros Roballo and Walter Escobar Marín, both members of SUTEV, a teacher union affiliated to FECODE, and two other trade-unionists were assassinated last month, as the violence against trade union activists continues to mount.
Two more teachers murdered in Colombia
The gate to the school yard is covered with ugly graffiti, but the murals in the courtyard depict lovely flowers, colourful tropical scenes, and a map of the island of Martinique, an overseas department of France in the eastern Caribbean. We are at the secondary school of Le Vauclin, where...
Island-mainland: Long distance solidarity among teachers
Sri Lanka has for decades been torn apart by the conflict between the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tigers. Members of a Tamil education union give personal accounts of life and work in the most dangerous areas of the country. To protect the identity of the teachers who had...
Teaching under bombardment
Mae Sot, THAILAND — He has the quiet, professional demeanour of a man who prefers the educational sanctuary of the classroom to the dangers of revolutionary politics. Yet Burmese teacher Htay Hlaing spent nine-years incarcerated in a notorious torture prison in his military-ruled homeland for the so-called “crime” of helping...
Beyond Burma: Lessons in hope for refugee children
On 28 March, thousands will march through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2 April summit on the global financial crisis. Both EI and the International Trade Union Confederation strong urge their member organisations, and in particular those in the G20 countries,...
Put People First: Join the pre-G20 demonstration in London on 28 March!
The global trade union movement is pressing the International Labour Organization (ILO) for action in response to a growing tide of oppression against trade unionists in Iran.
Union movement urges intervention over escalating repression in Iran
A total of three teachers were targets of assassination last February in Colombia. Two of them were killed, and one barely survived. EI voices its strong protest to the authorities, requesting a better protection of teachers facing threats to their lives.
The killing of teachers in Colombia should stop, says EI.
EI has been informed that Farzad Kamangar (who was sentenced to death on February 25, 2008 on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer) has been retransferred from Rajaiee Shahr prison to the section 204 of Tehran’s Evin prison. EI is worried about this last development as the reason of...
Farzad Kamangar: New risks and uncertainties
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has sent a letter from president Randi Weingarten to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing the union's concern over the continuing suffering of the Zimbabwean people and urging U.S. leadership to end the reign of terror and devastation wrought by President Mugabe.
AFT Letter to Hillary Clinton Urges Action on Zimbabwe
EI has written to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asking that a social dialogue begin without delay with the representatives of the Iranian teachers. EI has been in regular communication with the Iranian authorities since 2007, following the crackdown on Iranian teachers who believed implementation of the approved Parity Bill would...
Iran: Government neglect is pushing teachers to take job action
Sajad Khaksari has been released from prison in Tehran, but only “on condition.” In other words, he is not really free and clear.
Son of Iranian trade unionist released from prison