Teachers in Portland, Oregon, went on strike on Wednesday, causing schools to close and leaving approximately 45,000 students without classroom or online instruction. The strike, driven by concerns over large class sizes, stagnant salaries, and a lack of resources, reflects the increasing presence of organized labor movements in the United States. The Portland Association of Teachers, representing over 4,000 educators, stated that this was the first-ever teachers strike in the school district. Negotiations for a new contract have been ongoing since the expiration of the previous one in June.
The teachers’ union has cited the need for additional spending to address these issues, which the school district claims could result in staffing cuts and significant financial strain. Despite a record $10.2 billion K-12 budget approved by Oregon lawmakers in June, school district representatives argue that it still falls short of meeting the needs of students and educators. Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero emphasized the challenge of attracting and retaining talent without the resources available to private organizations.
Teachers participating in the strike voiced their overwhelming workload and a lack of support in the classroom. Many educators work beyond regular hours, sacrificing personal time to ensure their students receive adequate attention and care. The strike aims to address these concerns and advocate for smaller class sizes, which would enable educators to provide individualized attention to struggling students. The issue of pay has also been raised, particularly for new teachers facing the rising cost of living in Portland. The district’s starting salary is approximately $50,000, leading to high turnover rates within the first five years of teaching.
The decision to strike received overwhelming support from the union’s members, with 99% voting in favor of the labor action and 93% participating in the ballot. The union has expressed a desire for a fair settlement, while the district has urged educators to continue negotiations rather than close schools. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has called for an agreement to be reached to avoid disruptions to public education.
This strike in Portland adds to a series of high-profile labor actions in the public education sector across the United States. Earlier this year, workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest, went on strike for three days to demand better wages and increased staffing. In Oakland, California, teachers and other workers went on strike for over a week, advocating not only for higher salaries but also for “common good” changes like reparations for Black students and resources for homeless students.
The growing labor movement among teachers and other sectors reflects widespread concerns over working conditions, salaries, and the allocation of resources. As the strike in Portland continues, educators and their supporters rally for change, emphasizing the importance of supporting teachers and providing students with the resources they need to succeed.
