A teacher strike is when teachers stop work as a form of protest. They want their voice to be heard over a specific topic(s). Typically teacher strikes revolve around a strategic time when their voices can make the most difference as they negotiate contracts or state funding is being voted on.
Teachers can also participate in a “walk-in” protest by gathering before work wearing union T-shirts and holding signs. They can also engage in a “work-to-rule” or “work the contract” where they don’t do any extra work that is not in their contractual obligations, such as responding to student emails at night, planning lessons over the weekend, or grading assignments during the school day.
In West Virginia and Kentucky, teachers took on the role of advocates for students in their fight to keep schools open. This was made possible in large part because teachers were willing to risk punishment—like fines and loss of pay—to make sure their students’ needs were met during the Covid crisis. This is something other teacher unions should consider as they plan future labor actions.
The most successful teacher strikes have focused on issues that directly affect students, such as smaller class sizes and more nurses, counselors, or support staff. They’ve also been able to leverage public outrage and support for their demands into tangible wins. For example, the Los Angeles teachers’ victory may have helped them get a tax increase for their classrooms and influenced state legislation in their favor.