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.
Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, was arrested following his attempt to obtain a visa to attend the 7th Education International World Congress in Ottawa, Canada later this month.
Iranian teacher union leader jailed
To close its 41th Congress, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec elected its new Executive Committee tasked with combating austerity measures that are aimed at cutting funding to the province’s education system.
Canada: the Quebecois union elected its new leadership for trade union renewal
Thousands of education workers plan to take to the streets in protest in the wake of unresolved labour violations by the Ukrainian government and employers following months of increasing tensions across multiple sectors.
Ukraine: union protests reach a tipping point
Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights to the leaders of its Bahraini affiliate, which acknowledges their struggle for quality education, human and trade union rights.
Bahraini human and trade union rights defenders receive global Award
The most recent global estimates suggest that one in ten children between the ages of 5 and 14 is involved in child labour, preventing them from attending school. In Sub Saharan Africa, where the incidence is at its highest, a reported 21% of children are forced to work.
EI says NO to child labour – YES to Quality Education!
A new Code, backed by the American Federation of Teachers, will help ensure that international recruitment and employment of teachers in the United States is ethical, fair and transparent.
A Teachers’ Code for fair recruitment
Freedom of association and the right to strike remain contested issues at the International Labour Conference, where EI is making the case for better working conditions for all workers and increased social dialogue worldwide.
Education International puts teachers’ voice at the centre of talks in Geneva
The fight for quality public education in Chile is counting on increasing international support, as teachers and students take to the streets to defend their rights in the face of new reforms.
Chilean educators receive international support to have their voices heard
Helping teachers to embrace their universal rights in and outside of the classroom was the focus of hands-on training sessions held in Zimbabwe last month to foster a strong culture of rights.
Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture
Sakine Esen Yilmaz and Mehmet Bozgeyik, the current and former general secretaries of the Turkish education union, E?itim Sen, are to be presented with the FNV’s « Febe Elisabeth Vasquez » prize at the end of May. The prize is awarded to trade union leaders who have fought for human...
“I can be sent back to prison at any time»
Two Turkish trade unionists have been awarded the Febe Elisabeth Velasquez trade union award 2015 for their exceptional trade union work by the biggest trade union confederation in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded
Kosovo’s teacher unionists have ended their strike after public authorities began implementing the collective agreement signed between their trade union and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Kosovo: government to respect collective agreement after pressure from educators
The international higher education community mourns the death of an American colleague, Dr Warren Weinstein, who was held hostage by al-Qaida on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan since 13 August 2011.
Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike
A memorandum of understanding signed by the Malagasy Ministry of Education and trade unions and associations infringes trade union rights, according to teacher trade unions in Madagascar.
Madagascar: Calls for dialogue around trade union rights and quality education
A strike by 17 teachers at a privately-run government funded school north of Oslo in Norway has ended, representing a victory for the teachers who were on strike since 18 March.
Norway: Collective agreement a victory for teachers
Over 270 girls are still missing in Nigeria, one year after their abduction. Educators worldwide have not forgotten about them and reiterate that schools everywhere must remain safe sanctuaries.
Nigeria: Education community concerned about girls still missing after one year
Over 270 girls are still missing in Nigeria, one year after their abduction. Educators worldwide have not forgotten about them and reiterate that schools everywhere must remain safe sanctuaries.
Nigeria: Education community concerned about girls still missing after one year
Hans Engelberts, General Secretary of the Public Services International from 1981 until 2007, died after a long illness on 12 April.
Strong Advocate for Public Services, Former PSI General Secretary Hans Engelberts, dies