As the recent teacher strikes in West Virginia, Arizona, Oklahoma, and other states demonstrate, America’s teachers are taking on organized labor—and making headlines. They are reclaiming their power and their place in history, as well as bringing to bear new research on the causes and consequences of teacher strike.
Teachers are among the largest groups of unionized workers that have embraced work stoppages, and the teacher strike has become an outsize symbol of American politics. While they are far less common than other tactics, such as walk-in protests or refusing to perform non-contractual tasks like grading at night and planning lessons before school, teachers do resort to striking when all other efforts fail.
When they do, their concerns are not only about pay and working conditions (cited in 89 percent of strikes). The majority also demand improved education outcomes for students. This can mean smaller class sizes, increased funding per student, or better facilities. It can also entail the inclusion of “common good” issues, such as health care, housing, and transportation, for which educators care deeply.
As a principal, when your teachers go on strike, you are left in the lurch, and it can be challenging to maintain a positive relationship with your staff while they are on the picket line. But, with a little preparation, you can help your faculty feel supported during the strike while still meeting the needs of your students. This includes setting up alternative learning activities (worksheets, online assignments, thoughtfully curated movies) and communicating that you will hold down the fort, whether managing the communication tree or hiring substitutes.
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