Under the theme of "Organizing for Power", participants in the Education International (EI) 10th World Congress in Buenos Aires, gathered in a breakout session to focus on strategies to strengthen education unions and attract new members.
The session drew over 100 participants from 30 different countries interested in and with experience in organizing. During the session, attendees focused on how to strengthen education unions by increasing membership and influence. The session also highlighted the difficulties unions have encountered in recruiting young educators and emphasized the importance of finding proactive solutions to maintain and increase union membership.
Unions Must Be Inclusive, Transparent, and Democratic
Participants in the session stressed that strong membership numbers are essential for unions to maintain their independence from outside political pressure and to plan long-term. They stated that strong unions must be inclusive, transparent, and democratic. They also noted that to encourage active participation, unions need to continually demonstrate the benefits of membership to potential members.
Strategies for Efficient Organizing
Some current initiatives education unions are employing to organize effectively include:
- Conducting regular surveys to ascertain member concerns
- Establishing policies that encourage engagement at every level
- Bolstering networks of union representatives
- Streamlining the membership process to enhance accessibility
- Utilizing digital platforms to improve engagement
- Providing ongoing training for members and delegates
- Taking steps to integrate new members into union networks
- Presenting the union as a leading voice in education
- Making preparations for action to protect members' rights
Engaging Young Members Is Crucial
The session highlighted the challenges unions face in recruiting young teachers, citing overwork, underpayment, and political obstacles as key factors. Participants emphasized that unions could use social media and culturally relevant events to attract younger members. Additionally, they agreed that identifying and mentoring potential young leaders is vital for the future of union leadership.
Current union strategies to recruit and engage young members include:
- Regularly seeking feedback from young members
- Focusing on recruitment efforts during university years
- Establishing mentorship programs for young members
- Holding forums specifically for young members
- Providing targeted training for young educators
- Ensuring representation of young members in union leadership
Delegates suggested that in the coming years, EI should develop new surveys on organizing, share best practices to facilitate innovation and efficiency among unions, and encourage members of all career stages to get involved. These recommendations align with resolutions passed by delegates at the EI Congress. The session concluded by emphasizing the importance of a robust membership base for effective policy influence and social dialogue. They also shared a variety of strategies and best practices to improve union organizing efforts.
To learn more about the pivotal Congress breakout session on “Organizing for Power” – particularly focused on engaging young educators and women –, please click here.