Abstract: As an entity representing workers in education, the Union of Education Workers of Pernambuco – SINTEPE contributed to structural changes from the 20th century onwards with successful restructuring and state governance that orchestrated the understanding of education in contemporary times. In the ideological conception which defines the union, SINTEPE played and plays an important role in the construction of public educational policies in the State of Pernambuco, which corroborates the importance of citizen participation and education professionals in the context that defines it. Where from the 90’s they were marked by a new awareness to execute actions with logic and always seekingto break through the challenges in the collective construction of policies that benefit their associates and consequently society. Based on this understanding, the main objective of the present study was to describe how and under what circumstances the Union of Education Workers of the state of Pernambuco (SINTEPE) has been acting as an agent of collective mobilization in favor of education and its affiliates, aiming at improving working and teaching conditions for education professionals. In fact, analyzing the trajectory of the teachers’ union in its relationship with power and its experiences and union practices. The study is of a basic nature, with a descriptive character and a qualitative and quantitative approach. The research subjects were 06 managers and 120 professors affiliated in the sub-headquarters of the Teachers’ Union of Pernambuco, totaling 126 participants, using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. From the collected data, the results indicated that the main factors that led public school teachers in the state of Pernambucoto join SINTEPE are the following:Valuing the category; Need to improve the quality of teaching and learning; Defense of the working conditions of the category; Economic- financial defense of associates, with the establishment of a fair salary floor for teachers; fight for improvements in infrastructure and safety for education professionals and students.It was also verified the absence of a career plan and continuous training as an instrumentto stimulate the personal and professional growth of the associates, consistent with the roleof the teacher in the construction of society.However, teachers recognize the Union as a very important element for the organization of the category. Although there is criticism, and much, the Union has to conquer, without a doubt it is essential for the improvement of the conditions of the category. Concluding that the strengthening of workers’ participation is essential for unions to articulate offensive actions of real struggles for better wages for the category they represent, and decent working conditions, as well as bringing an overview of the reality of work in Brazilian education.

Keywords: Trade union movement. Teaching Union. Participative management. Education workers