Drawing on the initial phases of research into teacher trade union activity in England and in Italy, this paper explores new contexts for teacher unionism, those formed on the one hand by international policy agendas - such as privatisation and performance management; on the other, those arising from other, less managed aspects of globalisation - including migration (refugees, asylum seekers, new migrant communities) and the social and political agendas arising from north-south tensions. The paper will examine the contention that in responding to such issues, new forms of teacher unionism are emerging. These go beyond established sectoral boundaries to establish relationships with community organisations and social movements; and attempt to develop an understanding of, and response to, the remaking of aspects of national education systems under the impact of globalised policy agenda.