Teacher Strikes

Education news, analysis, and opinion about labor actions by teachers that close or disrupt schools

Explainer

Teacher Strikes, Explained: Recent Strikes, Where They're Illegal, and More
Here's what to know about educator labor actions and how they've evolved since the 20th century.
Teaching Profession East St. Louis Teachers' Strike Ends After a Month Without School
One of the longest teachers' strikes of 2015 has come to an end, and students in East St. Louis, Ill., are finally back in school.
Ross Brenneman, November 3, 2015
1 min read
Teaching Profession Understanding Teachers' Strikes: Where They Happen and How Often
There haven't been an inordinate number of teachers' strikes this year, but two states are responsible for most of them over the past five years.
Ross Brenneman, October 21, 2015
5 min read
Teaching Profession Scranton Teacher Strike Ends After Two Weeks of Stalemate
The Scranton Federation of Teachers ratified a new two-year contract; students will return to class Wednesday.
Ross Brenneman, October 13, 2015
2 min read
Teaching Profession Scranton Teachers Strike After a Month Without a Contract
Negotiations broke down when the district wanted to wait until January to implement salary increases.
Ross Brenneman, September 29, 2015
1 min read
Seattle teacher Ina Shepard leads picketing colleagues in front of Chief Sealth International High School. Teachers in Seattle went on strike on the first day of school over wages and related issues.
Seattle teacher Ina Shepard leads picketing colleagues in front of Chief Sealth International High School. Teachers in Seattle went on strike on the first day of school over wages and related issues.
Elaine Thompson/AP
Teaching Profession Seattle Teachers' Strike Encompasses Range of Issues
Though the main sticking points, wages and work hours, are familiar, policies on teacher evaluation and discipline also remain contested.
Stephen Sawchuk, September 11, 2015
4 min read
Chicago teachers picket on Sept. 10, the first day of their strike, which closed schools in the nation's third-largest district for seven days.
Chicago teachers picket on Sept. 10, the first day of their strike, which closed schools in the nation's third-largest district for seven days.
Scott Olson/Getty
School & District Management Opinion Writers Reflect on Chicago Strike
Four writers explore the implications of the recent teachers' strike in Chicago.
Stephen Dyer, Paul Thomas, Kamau Bobb & Andrea Kayne Kaufman, October 2, 2012
7 min read
Parents walk their children to Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School in Chicago on Wednesday. Students returned to school less than a day after teachers ended a seven-day strike.
Parents walk their children to Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School in Chicago on Wednesday. Students returned to school less than a day after teachers ended a seven-day strike.
Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/MCT
Teaching Profession In Strike's Wake, Chicago Faces Budget Questions
The tentative contract reached with teachers presents another tall hurdle: how the cash-strapped district will pay for it.
Stephen Sawchuk, September 21, 2012
6 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Dispute Puts Spotlight on Teacher Evaluation
The tension between the Chicago Teachers Union and the city's school district is a broader reflection on changes to evaluation policies being rolled out across the country.
Liana Loewus, September 18, 2012
4 min read
Students play checkers at the Sheridan Park field house in Chicago. Many local facilities opened their doors to give children places to go during school hours.
Students play checkers at the Sheridan Park field house in Chicago. Many local facilities opened their doors to give children places to go during school hours.
Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune/MCT
Teaching Profession In Designated Schools, Children Play Waiting Games
One hundred fourty-four Children First schools remained open during the Chicago teachers' strike, providing nonacademic projects and activities to 350,000 students.
Stephen Sawchuk, September 18, 2012
2 min read
Chicago public schools social worker Marie Smith waits with fellow union members for the start of a demonstration outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office in Chicago's City Hall on Sept. 17.
Chicago public schools social worker Marie Smith waits with fellow union members for the start of a demonstration outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office in Chicago's City Hall on Sept. 17.
Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune/MCT
Teaching Profession Teachers' Strike Continues Amid Wrangling in Chicago
Hopes that students in Chicago could return to school Monday after a weeklong teachers' strike were dashed after the union's 800 delegates deferred a vote to end it.
Stephen Sawchuk, September 17, 2012
10 min read
Striking teachers and supporters rally in downtown Chicago on Sept. 13.
Striking teachers and supporters rally in downtown Chicago on Sept. 13.
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/MCT
Teaching Profession Endgame Is Eyed in Chicago Strike
After a framework for a tentative agreement emerged Friday, the union's delegates were scheduled to meet this weekend to vet a draft and vote on whether to call off the strike.
Stephen Sawchuk, September 14, 2012
10 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Strike Puts Spotlight on Teacher-Evaluation Reform
The flare-up in Chicago is, in many ways, reflective of broader tensions about changes to evaluation policies being rolled out across the country.
Liana Loewus, September 12, 2012
4 min read
Teaching Profession Blog Teacher Beat
From teacher evaluation to the inner workings of the teachers’ unions, Teacher Beat covered the biggest issues shaping the teaching profession.
August 7, 2008
Teaching Profession Calif. Walkout Ends in Draw
Videos posted on YouTube add a twist to the labor dispute.
Bess Keller, May 1, 2007
1 min read