During World War II, when the school provided free education to Jewish refugees, it nearly faced bankruptcy, and teachers' salaries were often delayed. Many of the international school's teachers also held positions at the University of Geneva to supplement their income, as they were not exactly financially secure.
In the 1990s, Director General George Walker (who later became the Director General of the International Baccalaureate) collaborated with unions to establish Ecolint's unique labour agreement, the "CCT" (Convention Collective de Travail), which is now widely recognised in international schools. Key figures in its development included Othman Hamayed, a widely respected, charismatic and internationally-minded school principal, and Arnold Nussbaumer, a chemistry teacher and union advocate. The agreement only passed the Board vote by a narrow margin with some courageous support from the Chair at the time, Ambi Sundaram.
The CCT guaranteed, and continues to guarantee, decent working conditions for employees, including systematic cost-of-living adjustments, salary scale increments, and various protections and benefits. Crucially, it established clear systems and processes for disciplinary measures, safeguarding staff from arbitrary management decisions and providing leaders with a framework for handling complex situations, thereby preventing improvisation, inconsistencies, and potential abuses.
Today, one of the most dramatic and least talked about global challenges we face is a planetary teacher shortage. With over 44 million teachers needed worldwide, the teaching profession has become pauperised and undervalued in many regions, leading to a "great resignation" and a shortage of young people interested in pursuing teaching careers. Governments often underinvest in education, despite its vital role in the flourishing of individual, societal, and public goods. Teachers in for-profit private educational institutions also frequently face challenging working conditions. Currently, Ecolint is the only private school in Switzerland with such a comprehensive labour agreement.
While the CCT should not be romanticised, as a document alone cannot create a thriving school culture, and any dogmatic or even disingenuous adherence to its provisions will create little more than cynical legalism, its positive aspects are undeniable. It serves as a model for educational institutions globally, particularly in an era of austerity measures and efforts to dismantle and defund strong institutions that often result in staff reductions and unsustainable workloads. Robust labour protections are increasingly essential to safeguard the teaching profession and, consequently, the quality of education for young people.
Conrad Hughes
Director General