The TEFL Workers’ Union is glad to present this special report on the successful union drive and early negotiations of the BC teachers in Taiwan.
If you work at the BC anywhere in the world, drop us a line at [email protected]. If you’re UK-based, we’ve got your back. If you’re in another part of the world, we’ll do our best to put you in contact with a local union who can offer advice and support.
British Council teachers in Taiwan have recently formed a trade union branch. They are working with the Taiwan Higher Education Union (THEU). The main issue is that there hasn’t been a change to their pay structure in 18 (going on 19) years. The British Council Taiwan LLC is the only unionised language school in Taiwan. So far.
The teachers have invited themselves to the negotiating table through their unionising activity. They just had their first round of collective bargaining with senior management in December 2023. Round two is scheduled for January 2024. It might take some time, but the process is likely to result in some wins for the teachers. There has already been a pledge from management to improve benefits for part-time teachers in Taiwan. This can be put down to the efforts of the union.
It all started with a growing frustration at inaction on keeping up with inflation and cost of living increases in Taiwan. Teachers were growing tired of waiting for pay reviews that never resulted in change. In mid-2023, two teachers contacted several education related trade unions in Taiwan, fighting through difficulties with language and cultural barriers.
They also contacted the TEFL Workers’ Union for advice and support, which we willingly gave. After finding THEU and seeing the potential they could bring, they worked to spread the word among teachers and recruit as many as possible to join them.
Within four months, more than half of 50+ teachers signed up to the THEU, an important milestone giving them a mandate to enter formal negotiations. By December 2023, roughly two-thirds of regular teachers are counted as members, the branch is fully established and formal negotiations are underway. The teachers have their own independent union branch, with their own elected officers to ensure structure, democracy, and momentum.
Trade unions are also active in the British Council in Spain, Portugal, Japan and of course right here in the UK. Trade unions provide hope, togetherness and positive change in education and other sectors. Even British Council senior management, when pushed, will admit the value trade unions bring in improving morale in the workforce.
If you want to start up a union branch, getting the ball rolling is the most difficult part. The TEFL Workers’ Union is here to help you do that, just reach out to us.