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.
The number of violations of human rights is rising in Iraq since the beginning of the widespread protests of late 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kurdistan Teachers’ union has denounced the fact that the Iraqi authorities, including in the Kurdistan region, routinely use vaguely worded laws to bring...
Iraq: Education unionists alarmed about on-going violations of human rights
In Kenya, the Universities Academic Staff Union has taken the vice-chancellors of two universities to court over cuts in lecturers’ salaries, which had been previously suspended by a judge.
Kenya: Union sues university leaders over cuts to salaries of academics
On 2 and 3 July, the National Education Association (NEA) of the United States held a virtual representative assembly with the participation of over 7,000 delegates. The theme of the assembly was “Our Democracy; Our Responsibility; Our time”.
USA: The National Education Association holds virtual Representative Assembly
Representatives of French teachers’ unions have impressed upon public authorities the need to establish a real social dialogue to ensure high-quality education for all during and after the current global pandemic. In particular, they point to the statement adopted by the Education International European Region, ETUCE; which makes recommendations for...
France: teachers’ unions ask to be heard and assert their profession
In a series of warning protests on 30 June, trade unions from all sectors, including education, mobilised against proposed changes in labour law violating freedom of association, the right to organise, and the right to collective bargaining. Trade union activists demonstrated in major cities to demand that the government shelve...
Anti-worker legislation delayed in Ukraine following mass protests
The Council of Global Unions (CGU) – representing more than 200 million workers from across the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Global Union Federations and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) – wholeheartedly condemns the unlawful arrests of trade union and prodemocracy leaders and activists by...
Council of Global Unions Joint Solidarity Statement | Justice for Lee Cheuk Yan and ensuring fundamental rights in Hong Kong
A German education union has cautioned against fake news and societal fragmentation and called for the inclusion of civic education in vocational training and further education.
Germany: New Declaration says civic education is key to strengthening democracy
Education unionists in Kurdistan have highlighted their demands to on border security and salary payments along with the impact of COVID-19 on union elections and teachers’ health and safety.
Iraq: Trade union takes stock of pressing issues for educators
Fred Jarvis, who led the National Union of Teachers (NUT) as its General Secretary from 1975 to 1989, has died at 95. His service to trade unionism and education, however, began long before his work at the NUT as leader and in other capacities and continued until his death.
Education International mourns Fred Jarvis
The Argentinian government and CTERA, a member organisation of Education International, have signed an important collective agreement aimed at restructuring work in education during the lockdown and combating the work overload imposed by teleworking.
Argentina: Landmark collective agreement signed between the Ministry of Education and CTERA
The new conservative government of Uruguay, that took office last March, has submitted a bill for urgent consideration (Ley de Urgente Consideración, or LUC) to Parliament that set off alarm bells amongst Uruguayan society for being deeply antidemocratic in form and substance. The urgent bill shows how the country is...
Uruguay: Public education under threat
Addressing the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota’s elected officials, and the media, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Personnel demand justice after the death of George Floyd, a black citizen, while he was arrested by police officers. They are calling members and concerned citizens for solidarity by adding their...
USA: Educators join in public outcry and demand justice for George Floyd
The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (Quebec Labour Congress – CSQ) has urged the government of Quebec to engage in full social dialogue and respond to solutions put forward by trade unionists with a view to halting financial austerity measures, improving employees’ working conditions and thereby strengthening public services, particularly...
Canada: Quebec teaching union members deplore government monologue in public-sector negotiations
In New Zealand, education unionists have won historic pay equity increases for education support personnel. Over 22,000 school teacher aides have been offered a life-changing pay equity settlement including pay increases of up to 28 per cent.
New Zealand: Historic pay equity increase for education support personnel
Education International stands firmly behind its affiliate, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, and personnel facing degrading and threatening statements made by Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
Statement | Global education community rallies in defence of academic freedom in Hong Kong
As president of the National Council of Education Support Professionals of the National Education Association (USA), I have the distinct honor of representing Education Support Professionals (ESPs) across the United States. We are crossing guards, bus drivers & bus monitors, paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, interpreters & translators, cafeteria workers, and everything...
“Education Support Professionals Need Protection Now!”, by Rae Nwosu.
UK teacher union NASUWT has presented its International Solidarity Award 2020 to Raymond Basilio, Secretary General of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in the Philippines, and member of the Education International Executive Board.
UK: Teacher union gives international solidarity award to Filipino trade union leader
Today, 8 May, is the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Victory Europe (VE) Day is an important anniversary, but also a moment to reflect on the decades that followed.
VE Day, a time for celebration and opportunity – 75 years later