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.
View Explainer
Teaching Profession What's the Best State for Teachers? This Year's Answer Might Surprise You
This year, North Dakota took first place in personal finance site WalletHub's annual ranking of the best and worst states to be a teacher.
Sarah Schwartz, September 23, 2019
•
3 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Classroom Technology Briefly Stated Briefly Stated: Stories You May Have Missed
A breakdown of high-profile news stories you may have missed during the week.
September 20, 2019
•
7 min read
Teaching Profession In Las Vegas, the Teachers' Union and the District Reach a Deal to Avoid a Strike
The nation's fifth-largest school district won't see a teacher strike in the fall, if the tentative agreement is approved.
Madeline Will, August 29, 2019
•
3 min read
Teaching Profession To Support Their Teachers, Teens Are Organizing a Student Strike—on TikTok
While Clark County, Nev., teachers prepare to strike, students are supporting their efforts on the social platform TikTok.
Madeline Will, August 28, 2019
•
3 min read
Teaching Profession Two Big-City Teacher Strikes Loom on the Horizon
Teachers in the third-largest district of Chicago and the fifth-largest district of Clark County could go on strike this fall.
Madeline Will, August 21, 2019
•
4 min read
Teachers, parents, and students picket in downtown Los Angeles in January. Since the beginning of 2018, teachers in several states and big-city districts have gone on strike to fight for higher pay and more education funding.
Teachers, parents, and students picket in downtown Los Angeles in January. Since the beginning of 2018, teachers in several states and big-city districts have gone on strike to fight for higher pay and more education funding.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Teaching Profession 'I Am a Fool to Do This Job': Half of Teachers Say They've Considered Quitting
The annual PDK poll shows that the majority of teachers would support a strike for higher pay, and that the public is behind them.
Catherine Gewertz, August 5, 2019
•
5 min read
United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, joined teachers at a rally in downtown Los Angeles before they went on strike in January. Some experts say that strikes have kept teachers from leaving their unions.
United Teachers Los Angeles President Alex Caputo-Pearl, left, joined teachers at a rally in downtown Los Angeles before they went on strike in January. Some experts say that strikes have kept teachers from leaving their unions.
Damian Dovarganes/AP-File
Law & Courts Teachers' Unions Expected Big Membership Losses. Here's Why Those Haven't Panned Out
The labor groups have lost members since last year’s Janus Supreme Court case, but not as many as anticipated. Is that because the unions have reenergized teachers, or because teachers don’t understand their rights?
Madeline Will, June 27, 2019
•
8 min read
Kentucky’s Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has clashed with teachers over issues including pensions and school choice.
Kentucky’s Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has clashed with teachers over issues including pensions and school choice.
Bryan Woolston/AP
School & District Management Teacher Tensions Fuel Kentucky Governor's Race
After clashing with the teacher community in often confrontational terms, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin faces a fierce battle to win re-election against Democratic rival Andy Beshear, the state's attorney general.
Evie Blad, June 18, 2019
•
7 min read
Teaching Profession About 1,000 Nashville Teachers Stage a Sickout to Protest Low Wages
The Nashville protest is the latest instance of teacher activism, and additional walkouts are on the horizon this spring.
Madeline Will, May 6, 2019
•
3 min read
Teaching Profession A RedForEd Wave: Teachers in North and South Carolina Leave Classrooms in Protest
A sea of red swept the capitals of North and South Carolina on Wednesday, as thousands of teachers turned out to demand higher pay and more school funding.
Madeline Will, May 1, 2019
•
4 min read
Striking Tacoma teachers listen to a fellow demonstrator prior to a march and rally in 2018 in Tacoma, Wash.
Striking Tacoma teachers listen to a fellow demonstrator prior to a march and rally in 2018 in Tacoma, Wash.
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Teaching Profession Districts Swamped by Cost of Hard-Fought Teacher Contracts
Amid the teacher strikes and activism that roiled the nation last fall, school districts in California, Colorado, and Washington signed labor contracts they now say they cannot afford.
Daarel Burnette II, April 26, 2019
•
7 min read
Teaching Profession Where Will the Next Teacher Protests Take Place?
A new analysis by the Center for American Progress finds that teacher labor actions are more likely to take place in states with lower pay.
Madeline Will, April 16, 2019
•
3 min read
Teaching Profession Sacramento Teachers Reached a Contract Deal. They're Still Going on Strike
The teachers' union has planned a one-day strike to protest the school district's labor practices.
Madeline Will, April 3, 2019
•
2 min read
Teaching Profession Two More Statewide Teacher Protests Are on the Horizon
Teachers in North Carolina and Oregon plan to walk out of their classrooms in protest in May.
Madeline Will, March 26, 2019
•
3 min read
Load More ▼