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 29 April 2020

    Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women

    Despite continuing their work online, teachers in private schools in Jordan are not being paid their full salaries. Most of the teachers affected are women. Education International urges the Jordanian government to guarantee the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers and update national legislation to prohibit gender discrimination at...

    Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women
  2. News 22 April 2020

    Iran: Leading teacher unionist arrested again

    Education International and UK’s NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union have condemned the re-arrest of Tehran education union leader Esmail Abdi.

    Iran: Leading teacher unionist arrested again
  3. News 16 April 2020

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award

    Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2020 to trade union leader and educator Barbara Figueroa Sandoval from Chile.

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award
  4. Worlds of Education 25 March 2020

    “Handling the COVID-19 crisis in education: What can TALIS 2018 tell us?”, by John Bangs.

    John Bangs

    The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 was released on the 23rd March. For the first time the OECD’s Education and Skills Director Andreas Schleicher presented the report remotely because of the Covid 19 crisis. The OECD had rightly taken the tough decision to release its report now before...

    “Handling the COVID-19 crisis in education: What can TALIS 2018 tell us?”, by John Bangs.
  5. Worlds of Education 23 March 2020

    “The need for strategy and teacher activism in transnational governance”, by Tore Bernt Sorensen.

    Tore Bernt Sorensen

    Today, the OECD launches “Teachers and School Leaders as Valued Professionals” as the second volume of the TALIS 2018 Results. Being the largest international research programme focused on teachers and school leaders, TALIS is a prime example of how transnational education governance offers opportunities as well as challenges for educators...

    “The need for strategy and teacher activism in transnational governance”, by Tore Bernt Sorensen.
  6. Worlds of Education 17 March 2020

    “COVID-19: educators and unions stand united and mobilise”, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    Today, teachers and education support personnel, union leaders the world over are coming together in myriad ways to find collective solutions to address the needs of their students, colleagues and communities despite enormous challenges and deteriorating situations.

    “COVID-19: educators and unions stand united and mobilise”, by David Edwards.
  7. News 13 March 2020

    Union tributes on passing of top Caribbean education unionist Roustan Job

    Education International has been saddened to learn of the death of Roustan Job, an outstanding education trade unionist from Trinidad and Tobago. Job relentlessly fought for teachers’ improved working conditions, professionalism, and autonomy in his region and worldwide.

    Union tributes on passing of top Caribbean education unionist Roustan Job
  8. Worlds of Education 12 March 2020

    Beijing +25: "Making the Promise of Beijing a Reality for Learners and for Education Sector Workers."

    madeleine kennedy macfoy

    Examples of the work done by Education International and its member organisations in different parts of the world since the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted in 1995, demonstrate the power of taking collective action to find collective solutions.

    Beijing +25: "Making the Promise of Beijing a Reality for Learners and for Education Sector Workers."
  9. News 10 March 2020

    South Africa: Union campaigns to eradicate school violence as it marks 30th anniversary

    The South African Democratic Teachers' Union has kicked off celebrations for its 30th anniversary in the Northern Cape by launching its "I am a school fan" campaign in the province. The campaign aims to address the escalating violence in schools.

    South Africa: Union campaigns to eradicate school violence as it marks 30th anniversary
  10. Worlds of Education 6 March 2020

    Beijing +25: ‘There is Only Collective Action for a Collective Solution’

    madeleine kennedy macfoy

    2020 is an auspicious year for women’s rights: the world will look back on what was agreed twenty-five years ago at the 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is widely viewed as ‘the world’s most progressive blue-print’ on the rights...

    Beijing +25: ‘There is Only Collective Action for a Collective Solution’
  11. News 27 February 2020

    Philippines: Renewed attacks on teachers and their union

    Despite international solidarity, human and trade union rights abuses continue in the Philippines. The red-tagging and vilification campaign targeting members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is escalating.

    Philippines: Renewed attacks on teachers and their union
  12. News 25 February 2020

    Ukraine: unions step up action against labour reform

    Trade unions in Ukraine are opposing a reform of the labour law that puts such basic workers’ rights as freedom of association and collective bargaining at grave risk. The dangerous provisions apply to workers and their trade unions in both public and private sectors.

    Ukraine: unions step up action against labour reform
  13. News 20 February 2020

    Colombia: National Strike in Defence of Peace

    The Colombian teachers' union FECODE has called for a national strike on 20 and 21 February in demand of “life, peace and democracy”.

    Colombia: National Strike in Defence of Peace