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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At Vine Street Elementary school in Los Angeles, a teacher and two aides oversee classes held in the auditorium on the first day of the teacher strike.
At Vine Street Elementary school in Los Angeles, a teacher and two aides oversee classes held in the auditorium on the first day of the teacher strike.
Photo by Morgan Lieberman/Education Week
School & District Management Principals Are Taking Over Teaching in L.A. While Staff Is on Strike
Schools doors are open as the citywide teacher strike continues, meaning administrators are the ones left delivering lessons.
Denisa R. Superville, January 16, 2019
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5 min read
Teachers from across the city gathered outside of the California Charter Schools Association on Jan. 15.
Teachers from across the city gathered outside of the California Charter Schools Association on Jan. 15.
Catherine Gewertz/Education Week
Teaching Profession Charter School Teachers in Los Angeles Are Now Striking as Well
Dozens of charter school teachers, in a contract dispute of their own, are now marching alongside more than 30,000 teachers from the district.
Madeline Will, January 15, 2019
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6 min read
Teaching Profession With Umbrellas and Picket Signs, L.A. Teachers Begin First Strike in 30 Years
Tens of thousands of teachers, nurses, librarians, and counselors walked off the job Monday in the nation's second-largest school district, donning plastic ponchos in a chilly rainstorm to picket their schools for the first time in 30 years.
Catherine Gewertz, January 14, 2019
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5 min read
Teaching Profession 5 Things to Know About Today's Los Angeles Teacher Strike
Tens of thousands of teachers in the nation's second-largest district will head to the picket lines on Monday to fight for smaller class sizes and more support staff.
Madeline Will, January 13, 2019
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4 min read
Thousands of teachers rally outside The Broad, a contemporary art museum, on Dec. 15, 2018, in downtown Los Angeles.
Thousands of teachers rally outside The Broad, a contemporary art museum, on Dec. 15, 2018, in downtown Los Angeles.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Teaching Profession All Eyes Are on Los Angeles as 30,000 Teachers Prepare to Strike
The strike in the nation's second-largest district is the first major teacher labor action planned for 2019, following a remarkable year of statewide protests and walkouts.
Madeline Will, January 11, 2019
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7 min read
Teaching Profession Amid Court Battles, Los Angeles Teachers' Union Postpones Strike
United Teachers Los Angeles has pushed the teachers' strike to Monday after a series of legal battles with the district.
Madeline Will, January 9, 2019
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4 min read
Teaching Profession Despite Last-Minute Negotiations, Los Angeles Teacher Strike Is Still On
The Los Angeles teachers' union and school district will return to the bargaining table on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to avert a strike.
Madeline Will, January 7, 2019
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3 min read
Teaching Profession Can Special Ed. Teachers Be Forced to Stay in the Classroom During Strikes?
A federal judge denied the Los Angeles Unified school district's request to prevent special education teachers from going on strike on Jan. 10.
Madeline Will, January 4, 2019
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4 min read
Teaching Profession The Teacher Strikes and Protests Planned for 2019
2018 was a pivotal year for teacher activism, and teachers in California and Virginia already are among those planning actions for early 2019.
Liana Loewus, December 27, 2018
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2 min read
Teaching Profession Los Angeles Teachers Will Strike Next Month
After 20 months of contract disputes, the United Teachers Los Angeles calls for a strike on Jan. 10.
Madeline Will, December 19, 2018
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3 min read
Educators with Acero charter schools strike outside the Veterans Memorial Charter School Campus on Dec. 4, 2018, in Chicago. Hundreds of teachers went on strike at the Chicago charter school network, leading to canceled classes for thousands of students.
Educators with Acero charter schools strike outside the Veterans Memorial Charter School Campus on Dec. 4, 2018, in Chicago. Hundreds of teachers went on strike at the Chicago charter school network, leading to canceled classes for thousands of students.
Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
School & District Management The Teachers' Unions Have a Charter School Dilemma
With the first charter school strike in the books—and teachers coming out victorious—experts say both unions and charter schools may need to rethink how they’ve long operated.
Arianna Prothero, December 14, 2018
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8 min read
About 40 protesters were cheered as they arrived in Oklahoma City last April in the final leg of a 110-mile trip from Tulsa to protest school funding.
About 40 protesters were cheered as they arrived in Oklahoma City last April in the final leg of a 110-mile trip from Tulsa to protest school funding.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
States Teachers Came Together to Strike. What Will Happen Next?
After the election, the teachers who organized the walkouts have a challenge: How will they continue to motivate and sustain the energy of teachers now that there's no big event to organize around? What will be their next step?
Madeline Will, December 10, 2018
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6 min read
Teaching Profession The Nation's First Charter School Strike Has Ended With a Union Victory
After four days on the picket lines, educators in a Chicago charter network have reached a tentative deal that includes a pay raise, smaller class sizes, and sanctuary protections for undocumented students.
Madeline Will, December 10, 2018
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2 min read
Students walk through a dark hallway during a class change in January at Jaime Coira School in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, the school still had no power and only one generator.
Students walk through a dark hallway during a class change in January at Jaime Coira School in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, the school still had no power and only one generator.
Swikar Patel/Education Week
School & District Management Photos Education Week’s Photos of the Year for 2018
Parkland. Santa Fe. Teacher walkouts and teacher strikes. 2018 was a year of unspeakable tragedy and passionate political action.
Education Week Photo Staff, December 6, 2018
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1 min read
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