ETUCE – the trade union federation and social partner for education in Europe
The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) is a federation of 121 education trade unions in 48 countries, representing in total 4 million members all over Europe. We are the social partner for teachers and other education personnel at European level, and a defender of their interests towards the European Commission and other European institutions.
ETUCE is composed of national trade unions of teachers and other staff in all parts of the education sector: early childhood education; primary education; secondary education; vocational education and training; higher education and research. The member organisations cover both EU and non-EU states. ETUCE is the European Trade Union Federation for the education sector within the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
ETUCE was established in 1977. In November 2010 a new European structure was adopted by the Extraordinary Conference / General Assembly, at which ETUCE became an integrated part of Education International (EI). ETUCE is now the EI Regional Structure in the European region.
ETUCE’s mission is to advance Education International’s goals in Europe by shaping policies, advising EI on regional strategies, and responding to initiatives from bodies like OECD and UNESCO. It fosters strong, democratic education unions, represents them in EU and EFTA matters, and acts as a social partner in EU Social Dialogue. ETUCE also builds alliances with organizations such as ETUC and PERC/ITUC, promotes policies with the Council of Europe and other European institutions, and develops projects to protect and enhance the interests of education unions across the region.