Title: Why do Teachers Strike? | American University
Headings: Why do Teachers Strike? Understanding how Policy Makers can Help
Why do Teachers Strike? Understanding how Policy Makers can Help
Why do Teachers Strike?
Inadequate Financial Resources
Inequitable Social Support
Public Support
How Policy Makers Can Help
Earn a Doctorate in Education
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Content: Wages are the biggest concern: US teacher salaries shrunk 1.6% between 2000 and 2017 when adjusted for inflation, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This trend is especially consequential in areas where the cost of living is skyrocketing, such as Oakland, California, where a teacher strike took place in early 2019. Other areas that struggle with insufficient school funding—often poor or rural communities—face low resources not only for wages but for building improvements, proper student/teacher ratios, school supplies, and support services for students. State education budgets were hit hard during the 2008 recession, and many states have yet to lift their per-student spending levels back to pre-recession levels, according to The Conversation. Teachers will often organize strikes during state budget planning periods, when there is opportunity to influence politicians to channel more funds into education. They might also strike during contract negotiation periods that involve collective bargaining agreements between school district authorities and union representatives. Inequitable Social Support
Socioeconomic factors that hinder school districts’ success are beginning to play a factor in teacher negotiations as well. A recent teacher strike in Chicago included demands for more affordable housing for teachers and students. Some teachers feel that after-school resources need to be enhanced for students whose families can’t afford services such as tutoring or internet access.