How Discursive Practices Shape and Reflect Relationships Between Teacher Unions and Governments

• In Event: International Perspectives on Teacher Identity

Abstract

This paper considers the volatility of teacher union-governmental relationships by presenting two contrasting cases of drastically changing relations, in England and Alberta, Canada.
Across the globe, frequent political changes drive shifts in the direction of educational policy. Given this backdrop, there may be significant changes in relations between governments and teacher unions, partly in response to the impact of policy change on teachers’ work, and partly in response to the stance governments take with regard to teacher unions themselves. Tracking changes in discourse over time allows us, as researchers, to observe the power dynamics at play. This paper is derived from a study on teacher-union-governmental relations conducted for a global umbrella organization of nearly all teacher unions worldwide.

Authors

• Nina Bascia, University of Toronto - OISE

• Pamela Janie Osmond, University of Toronto - OISE