When teachers go on strike, their demands usually center on bread-and-butter issues like salaries and working conditions. But they also may take on larger “common good” concerns such as affordable housing, racial justice and climate change. In the past, teacher strikes often had a more ideological edge and were linked to civil rights movements. But today, many educators are more likely to view their strikes as a way of fighting for public education.
Educators say they’re more willing to strike because of low wages and poor job security, and their activism is gaining popularity among millennials and other young people. Despite that, some state policy makers are reluctant to allow teacher strikes because they don’t want to disrupt schools and hurt students. Some states have passed laws to curb strikes, but other legislators are finding ways to help teachers and school districts reach an agreement.
The research on teacher strikes has been mixed, but newer studies have found that most short strikes have little to no impact on student academic achievement. But researchers are still looking for better data on how long-term effects from teachers’ protests may affect students’ performance and the national educational system.
The Sacramento district’s settlement didn’t include all of the union’s top demands, including a cost-of-living increase and more yearly step increases. But Bonilla says teachers can take solace in the fact that they have gained several other improvements, including more planning time and an extra grading day.