Teacher Strikes

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

Explainer

Striking teachers hold a rally outside City Hall in Oakland, Calif., on May 4, 2023. More than 3,000 teachers and other workers in the Oakland Unified School District went on strike, saying the district failed to bargain in good faith on a new contract that asks for more resources for students and higher pay for employees.
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.
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Teaching Profession West Virginia Teachers Scored a Victory But Will Remain on Strike
Lawmakers effectively killed the controversial education bill that had prompted the second statewide strike in two years.
Madeline Will, February 19, 2019
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2 min read
Teaching Profession West Virginia Teachers Are Going on Strike Again
Teachers across the state will walk out of their classrooms on Tuesday to protest an education bill going through the state legislature.
Madeline Will, February 18, 2019
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Denver Teachers' Union and District Reach Deal to End Strike
Denver teachers, who had staged a three-day strike over the district's pay structure, are encouraged to return to school today.
Madeline Will, February 14, 2019
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4 min read
Teaching Profession Denver Teacher Strike Continues as District and Union Inch Closer to a Resolution
Denver teachers will be on strike for a third day on Wednesday, in a fight for higher wages.
Madeline Will, February 13, 2019
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3 min read
Teaching Profession Video Denver Teachers Are the Latest to Strike Over Pay. Here’s Why
The latest display of teacher activism is happening in Denver, where teachers are striking for higher salaries. In an interview with the PBS NewsHour, Education Week reporter Madeline Will explains the details of Denver’s once-revolutionary performance-pay system at the heart of the strike and discusses why teacher unrest is happening in both red and blue states.
February 12, 2019
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4:00
Teaching Profession 3 Things to Know About the Denver Teacher Strike
About 5,000 Denver teachers will strike on Monday over a dispute centered around the district's performance-pay model. Here's what to know.
Madeline Will, February 10, 2019
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3 min read
Margaret Flynn, front, a 7th grade teacher in Denver public schools, led other teachers in a march during a rally outside the state Capitol on Jan. 30.
Margaret Flynn, front, a 7th grade teacher in Denver public schools, led other teachers in a march during a rally outside the state Capitol on Jan. 30.
David Zalubowski/AP
Teaching Profession Denver Teachers to Strike Over Merit-Pay System
In Denver, teachers will go on strike Monday to protest a performance-pay system that’s been in place for 15 years. The dispute is illustrative of a larger national shift away from differentiated pay.
Madeline Will, February 6, 2019
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8 min read
Teaching Profession L.A. School Board Approves Teacher Contract and Calls for a Pause on Charter Growth
A week after the teacher strike concluded, the Los Angeles Unified board of education has unanimously approved the contract deal with the teachers' union.
Madeline Will, January 29, 2019
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3 min read
Teaching Profession Los Angeles Charter School Teachers Are Back in School After Eight-Day Strike
About 80 teachers from three public charter schools in Los Angeles ended their strike with progress made toward their demands.
Madeline Will, January 28, 2019
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2 min read
Thousands of teachers rallied through downtown Los Angeles to demand higher pay, more support staff, and smaller classes.
Thousands of teachers rallied through downtown Los Angeles to demand higher pay, more support staff, and smaller classes.
Morgan Lieberman for Education Week
Teaching Profession Photos What It Felt Like to Be at the Los Angeles Teacher Strike: A Reporter’s Perspective
Teachers rallied through downtown Los Angeles to demand higher pay, more support staff, and smaller classes.
Education Week Photo Staff, January 23, 2019
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Denver Teachers Vote to Authorize First Strike in 25 Years
Denver teachers could head to the picket lines on Monday, unless the state intervenes.
Madeline Will, January 23, 2019
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Los Angeles School District and Teachers' Union Reach 'Historic' Deal to End Strike
Teachers are expected to ratify the tentative agreement and return to school on Wednesday.
Madeline Will, January 22, 2019
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4 min read
Teaching Profession Crammed Classrooms and Teachers Using Tourniquets: Why L.A. Educators Say They're Really Striking
As Los Angeles teachers remain on strike for a fifth day, some shared the real-world consequences of large class sizes and not having enough support staff.
Madeline Will, January 18, 2019
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4 min read
Teaching Profession As L.A. Strike Continues, Plans for More Labor Actions Take Shape in Chicago and Denver
Charter school teachers in Chicago plan to go on strike Feb. 5, and educators in Denver are also weighing a strike.
Madeline Will, January 17, 2019
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3 min read
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