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 Florida Ed. Department Threatens to Fire Thousands of Teachers Rallying for Higher Pay
Thousands of teachers, parents, and other supporters are expected to call for higher pay and more school funding—despite threats from the state that participating teachers could lose their jobs.
Madeline Will, January 13, 2020
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4 min read
Federal How Teacher Strikes Could Factor in 2020 Elections
The recent Chicago Teachers Union strike drew attention from Democratic presidential candidates in Illinois, a state won by Democrats in the last White House contest. For 2020, it's possible we could see a twist on that story: big-city teacher strikes in states with less predictable outcomes.
Andrew Ujifusa, November 26, 2019
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5 min read
Federal The Teacher Strikes That Could Hit Presidential Swing States in 2020
The potential political cross-pollination between the 2020 White House race and labor unrest among educators in swing-state cities is intriguing, but shouldn't be overstated.
Andrew Ujifusa, November 17, 2019
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6 min read
Teaching Profession In Little Rock, Ark., Teachers to Strike for Collective Bargaining Power
Teachers in Little Rock, Ark., will be on the picket lines Thursday for only the second time in the school district's history.
Madeline Will, November 13, 2019
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3 min read
School & District Management Briefly Stated Briefly Stated: Stories You May Have Missed (Nov. 13, 2019)
A collection of short news stories from the last week.
November 12, 2019
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7 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago's Teacher Strike Is Finally Over After 11 Days
The Chicago Teachers Union has reached a deal with the district to make up five of the 11 missed instructional days and end the strike.
Madeline Will, October 31, 2019
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3 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Teachers Have a Deal With the City, But Will Stay on Strike for 11th Day
The Chicago Teachers Union delegates approved a tentative agreement, but will remain on strike until the mayor agrees they can make up the missed days.
Madeline Will, October 30, 2019
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4 min read
English-Language Learners Briefly Stated Briefly Stated: Stories You May Have Missed
Education Week catches you up on the week gone by with a thoughtful look at recent news in K-12 education.
October 29, 2019
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6 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Teachers Have Been on Strike for a Week. Here's What's at Stake
Union leaders are holding civil disobedience training sessions as negotiations with the city stall.
Madeline Will, October 24, 2019
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4 min read
Thousands of teachers, teachers’ union members, and supporters gather near the Chicago public schools’ headquarters and march on the streets in downtown Chicago Oct. 17.
Thousands of teachers, teachers’ union members, and supporters gather near the Chicago public schools’ headquarters and march on the streets in downtown Chicago Oct. 17.
Victor Hilitski/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
School & District Management Chicago Strike: Why Teachers Are on the Picket Lines Once Again
Teachers in the nation's third-largest school system are fighting for salary increases, class-size caps, and a written commitment for more nurses, social workers, and librarians—as well as investments some say are outside the scope of collective bargaining.
Madeline Will, October 18, 2019
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6 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Teachers Are On Strike: 3 Things to Know
About 25,000 educators in Chicago are expected to go on strike Thursday.
Madeline Will, October 16, 2019
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4 min read
Supporters cheer at the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters Sept 14. Chicago teachers have voted to authorize their union leaders to call a strike, setting the stage for a possible work stoppage in the nation's third-largest school district.
Supporters cheer at the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters Sept 14. Chicago teachers have voted to authorize their union leaders to call a strike, setting the stage for a possible work stoppage in the nation's third-largest school district.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP File
School & District Management Strike Date Set for Chicago Teachers
Unless they come to an agreement with the district, Chicago Teachers Union members plan to stop work Oct. 17. And the fight is about more than just pay.
Madeline Will, October 3, 2019
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7 min read
Teaching Profession Teachers in Chicago Vote to Strike
After months of stalled contract negotiations with Chicago schools, the majority of the city's teacher's union voted to walk off the job later this fall.
Sarah Schwartz, September 27, 2019
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5 min read
Teaching Profession Chicago Teachers May Vote to Strike This Week. Here's Why
If at least 75 percent of union members vote yes, the union's House of Delegates will set a date to walk out this fall. The earliest that they could strike is Oct. 7.
Sarah Schwartz, September 24, 2019
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4 min read
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