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.
Fifteen separate charges, including conspiracy, armed insurrection, attempting to subvert the constitution, high treason and genocide, were presented in court by prosecutors on 16 December against the 131 government opponents and critics detained by Ethiopian authorities.
Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
Education International is continuing to exert pressure on the government of Cambodia to request the immediate release of Mr. Rong Chhun, President of CITA, and the withdrawal of arrest warrants against three other democratic leaders.
Cambodia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
Bulgarian teachers organised by EI affiliates SEB and PODKREPA started their strike for better working conditions on 25 November. On 18 December, the president of SEB, Janka Takeva, addressed an open letter to the representative of the International Monetary Fund who took part in a meeting with the Bulgarian Ministry...
Bulgaria: Teachers are soon entering their second month of strike
EI issued a letter to its Latin American colleagues on 8 December, urging them to step up their solidarity with Guatemalan affiliate, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación (STEG).
Guatemala: Urgent Action Appeal update
EI affiliate in Georgia, the the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG) is organising a demonstration on 14 December to request the Parliament of Georgia to increase the funding of education during the budget discussion.
Georgia: In Solidarity with ESFTUG
EI sent a clear message to the authorities of Montenegro on 9 December that the latter has to sign the "Branch Collective Agreement for Education" as stipulated in the General Collective Agreement in 2004.
EI demands the authorities of Montenegro to sign collective agreement with teacher union
The European Region of Education International, which represents 143 teacher organisations in 44 European countries, passed a resolution in its meeting in Luxemburg from 6-7 Dec, declaring its support for Romanian teachers.
EI Europe declares its support for Romanian teachers
Together with Bureau for Workers' Activities at the International Labour Organisation (ILO ACTRAV) and the Global Union Research Network (GURN), the Global Unions have produced a report on successful cases of trade union resistance and the development of alternatives to the policies of the International Financial Institutions (IFI).
Global Unions produces report on successful trade union campaigns
EI affiliate the Australian Education Union has expressed concerns about “Teaching Australia,” a national professional body announced by the government and aimed at enhancing the professional status of teachers and teaching.
Australia: Union Questions the Independence of Minister’s Teaching Institute
"Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance...
EI Statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 Dec 2005
Members of EI affiliates the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) will attend demonstrations on 9th December in support of Irish Ferry Workers.
Ireland: Teacher Unions Show Solidarity with Ferry Workers
The appeals court has denied bail to Rong Chhun, the president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), who has been imprisoned by the Cambodian authorities since his arrest on 15 October.
Cambodia: Appeals Court Denies Rong Chhun Bail
Members of EI affiliates NATFHE and the AUT have voted overwhelmingly for their unions to merge and create the world’s largest union for post-school academic and academic-related staff, with more than 110,000 members.
UK: Affiliates Agree to Union Merger
EI have today written to Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community, in support of affiliate KTOEÖS.
EI writes in support of Cypriot affiliate
Harassment against the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA) is continuing. On 12 and 14 November, ETA offices in Addis Ababa, in particular the offices of Mr Kassahun Kebede (Chairman of the Addis Ababa branch of the ETA) and Dr Taye Woldesmiate (ETA President), were searched by the police after the latter...
Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
Teachers' organisations have expressed concern over the increasing number of school children who are dropping out of school because of hunger. Some pupils are passing out during lessons because of hunger, after going for days without a proper meal.
Zimbabwe: Hunger Causing Pupils to Drop Out of School
There were muted celebrations in Ankara today (on Thursday, 27th October) among trade union members generally and members of Egitim-Sen, in particular, when the Judge in the Second Labour Court announced his decision that the union did not have to close down because it had removed the article from its...
Reprieve for Turkish union, Egitim-Sen
Five years ago, one of the greatest summits in history brought together national leaders at the United Nations. They approved an agenda for building a better world – the Eight Millennium Development Goals – including Education for All – to be achieved in all nations by the year 2015. [see...
14-16 September at the UN: Will the MDGs fall by the wayside?