Ukraine: Coordinated Action Secures Teacher Salary Increase
The collaborative union effort to raise teacher salaries and highlight the importance of the teacher union as a vital partner in social dialogue in Ukraine demonstrates the strength of united advocacy and global support.
In October 2025, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) joined forces with seven other major Education International (EI) affiliates from Australia, Germany, South Korea, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine’s own Trade Union of Education and Science Workers (TUESWU) in a joint letter addressed to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This coordinated appeal emphasized the crucial role of teachers and their union in upholding democratic values and national reconstruction, urging that educators be made a priority in the post-war rebuilding plans.
The letter cautioned that ignoring teachers would undermine educational standards and weaken democratic resilience, while also honoring the remarkable bravery and leadership of Ukrainian educators during the conflict.
This letter represents a key moment in an extended advocacy campaign led by EI General Secretary and the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), strategically timed to influence the Ukrainian Parliament’s review of the Cabinet’s draft State Budget for 2026.
Key Unions Involved
- American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
- Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine (TUESWU)
- Education International affiliates from Australia, Germany, South Korea, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom
Impact and Goals
- Raise teacher salaries across Ukraine
- Strengthen teacher unions as social dialogue partners
- Maintain educational quality and democratic values
- Prioritize educators in post-war reconstruction efforts
Timing and Strategy
The campaign was carefully coordinated to coincide with the Ukrainian Parliament’s evaluation of the 2026 State Budget draft, increasing its potential influence on government decisions.
Summary: This coordinated international union campaign successfully pressured the Ukrainian government to increase teacher salaries, reinforcing the vital role of educators in democracy and national rebuilding efforts.