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 6 December 2022

    France: State education staff called to the ballot box for the social dialogue elections

    French education unions are currently campaigning for their social dialogue elections. The 1.4 million voters in the Ministry of National Education and Youth, the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research are invited to vote by internet from 1 to 8 December 2022.

    France: State education staff called to the ballot box for the social dialogue elections
  2. Research

    Women’s Participation in Education Unions in a Time of Covid-19

    Carol Miller, Houda Sabra
    31 October 2022

    Since the start of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, education unions have been pragmatic and quick to respond to the rapid changes brought about by the global health crisis. Thus, it is important for education unions to review the work done to engage with members since the onset of the pandemic...

    Women’s Participation in Education Unions in a Time of Covid-19
    1. Download
  3. Worlds of Education 21 October 2022

    Cameroon: the urgent need for trade union renewal in a time of severe restrictions on freedoms

    Roger Kaffo Fokou

    The struggle for freedom is common to women and men throughout the world and throughout time. Like Sisyphus' rock, we never finish trying to get to the top of the mountain. But the context is never the same and, at the same time as each struggle is individual to one...

    Cameroon: the urgent need for trade union renewal in a time of severe restrictions on freedoms
  4. News 17 August 2022

    Mexico: Better conditions for SNTE pensioners and more certainty for workers: ACS

    The Mexican education workers’ union, the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), and the Secretary of State for Welfare are to set up a special programme to improve conditions for the organisation’s retirees and pensioners.

    Mexico: Better conditions for SNTE pensioners and more certainty for workers: ACS
  5. Publications

    The pandemic - moving forward: Governments and teacher unions working together to leave no-one behind

    A briefing by Education International for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2022
    9 May 2022

    Convened by Education International and the OECD, the International Summit on the Teaching Profession brings together governments and education unions in OECD countries in order to strengthen and support an informed and honest policy dialogue between and among elected representatives of the teaching profession and national government authorities.

    The pandemic - moving forward: Governments and teacher unions working together to leave no-one behind
    1. Download
  6. Worlds of Education 28 January 2022

    Challenging global tech giants: the critical role of Global labour

    Carmen Ludwig, Edward Webster

    In a recent research paper, Carmen Ludwig and Edward Webster examined the role of global unions to contest the use and abuse of digital technology through transnational activism in two African contexts. Action included work with Education International’s Global Response against the privatisation of education.

    Challenging global tech giants: the critical role of Global labour
  7. News 4 December 2021

    AEU Australia: International cooperation effecting change

    Education International President and Australian Education Union (AEU) Federal Secretary, Susan Hopgood, explains how her union got started in international cooperation and highlights key moments that made a difference.

    AEU Australia: International cooperation effecting change
  8. News 2 December 2021

    AOb Netherlands: Building sustainable partnerships

    The Dutch education union AOb engages in development cooperation to support and strengthen other unions, which in turn enables a better defense of the rights of members and increased access to quality education.

    AOb Netherlands: Building sustainable partnerships
  9. News 1 December 2021

    JTU Japan: Education as the fundamental right of every child

    The Japan Teachers' Union is active in development cooperation since the 1970s, when they supported South Korea in the fight against dictatorship. The union has a fund for international cooperation to which members voluntarily contribute.

    JTU Japan: Education as the fundamental right of every child
  10. News 1 December 2021

    CTF/FCE Canada: Cooperation projects that engage members

    The work of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF/FCE) in International development cooperation work started back in the sixties, when two volunteer teachers travelled to Nigeria.

    CTF/FCE Canada: Cooperation projects that engage members
  11. News 26 October 2021

    Fiji: Young activists ready to take up the union torch

    Inspiring young educators to improve and develop trade union work in Fiji was the aim of a dedicated training event organised by the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) in October 2020.

    Fiji: Young activists ready to take up the union torch
  12. News 14 October 2021

    New Capacity Building and Solidarity Unit gears up to build union power

    Education International has taken up an ambitious plan to renew its structure and adapt it to the strategic directions adopted at its last World Congress in Bangkok. Its new unit in charge of solidarity and capacity building has been set up to enhance Education International’s work in these areas, keeping...

    New Capacity Building and Solidarity Unit gears up to build union power