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 24 February 2021

    Mexico: COVID-19 issues feature in SNTE demands

    The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many of the issues put together by the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) for its 2021 list of national demands.

    Mexico: COVID-19 issues feature in SNTE demands
  2. News 22 February 2021

    General strike shuts down Myanmar

    Update 9 March 2021 | As the military junta has escalated its use of undue force against peaceful protesters, Myanmar workers won’t let fear and violence silence them. They are determined to continue the peaceful civil disobedience movement against the illegal military junta. In a joint statement, Myanmar labour organisations...

    General strike shuts down Myanmar
  3. News 18 February 2021

    Iraq: Academics’ freedom and trade union rights under attack

    The Association of Iraqi Academics (AIA) has warned against the abrogation of the law allowing Iraqi academics to perform trade union activities. It has also called for solidarity with them and support for their rights of association and organisation.

    Iraq: Academics’ freedom and trade union rights under attack
  4. News 17 February 2021

    Jordan: Education International condemns dissolution of teachers’ union and detention of leaders

    [Update] Education International is calling on workers and unionists to urge the Jordanian authorities to immediately stop harassing the leaders of the Jordanian Teachers Association (JTA) and threatening its very existence. At least 18 JTA teacher unionists were arrested in Irbid, Jordan on Monday 15 February.

    Jordan: Education International condemns dissolution of teachers’ union and detention of leaders
  5. News 15 February 2021

    Education unions defend and promote academic freedom around the world!

    Academic freedom is in a dire state globally, according to attendees at the recent International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference (IFHERC). Organised virtually by Education International, the conference also expressed its solidarity with harassed and imprisoned academics worldwide, especially in Myanmar and Hong Kong.

    Education unions defend and promote academic freedom around the world!
  6. News 4 February 2021

    Myanmar: Teachers’ union condemns military coup

    The Myanmar Teachers’ Federation (MTF) is engaging in civil disobedience along with others to protest the military coup of Monday, 1 February. The MTF and other unions issued statements condemning the coup and called for the release of arrested political leaders.

    Myanmar: Teachers’ union condemns military coup
  7. Worlds of Education 23 January 2021

    “Teaching with Tech: Why Education Unions Must Act Now To Have a Role in Shaping the Future”, by Christina J. Colclough.

    Christina J. Colclough

    After many years of public sector underfunding, the private tech sector has made inroads into virtually all public services. With the self-proclaimed aim to enhance the quality of public services, at a reduced cost and with greater efficiency, especially two sectors are rapidly expanding: Education Technology and Health Technology.

    “Teaching with Tech: Why Education Unions Must Act Now To Have a Role in Shaping the Future”, by Christina J. Colclough.
  8. News 14 January 2021

    France: Unions prepare to mobilise in face of uncertainty caused by COVID-19

    French education unions have called for a more robust and effective health policy as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. They are also seeking a recognition and improvement of educators’ working and living conditions.

    France: Unions prepare to mobilise in face of uncertainty caused by COVID-19
  9. News 12 January 2021

    Hong Kong: International trade union solidarity

    Education International joins other global union federations and the International Trade Union Confederation in welcoming the release of Hong Kong’s top union leader from jail and condemning the continuous harassment of trade unionists, including in the education sector, by public forces.

    Hong Kong: International trade union solidarity
  10. News 8 January 2021

    USA: Education unions condemn attack on democracy

    The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have reacted to the 6 January’s assault in Washington DC, where rioters encouraged by President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building during a joint session of Congress to certify the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

    USA: Education unions condemn attack on democracy
  11. Worlds of Education 8 January 2021

    “Can 2021 be the Critical Year for Climate Change Mobilisation?”, by Susan Hopgood.

    Susan Hopgood

    As we enter 2021 and wish each other a Happy New Year, the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines is a good reason for optimism regarding humanity’s most immediate threat. Unfortunately, when it comes to our most urgent long-term danger – climate change – there is no vaccine, no bright path before...

    “Can 2021 be the Critical Year for Climate Change Mobilisation?”, by Susan Hopgood.
  12. News 7 January 2021

    Morocco: repeated government attacks on educators’ human and trade union rights

    Education International is alarmed about ongoing violations of trade union freedoms and the rights and acquis of teachers in Morocco as reported by the Syndicat national de l'enseignement–Confédération démocratique du Travail (SNE-CDT).

    Morocco: repeated government attacks on educators’ human and trade union rights
  13. Worlds of Education 5 January 2021

    “Taking Action to Keep School Pupils, Staff and Communities Safe in England”

    Kevin Courtney, Mary Bousted

    England is once again in a national lockdown with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing on the evening of Monday 4 January that a third lockdown, including the closure of most schools, was necessary to address rising infection rates and the rapid spread of the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus...

    “Taking Action to Keep School Pupils, Staff and Communities Safe in England”