Legislation, Teacher-led advocacy, Teaching Conditions

November 2023

Teacher-led Advocacy: Portland Teachers Lead Historic Strike

In November 2023, thousands of teachers in Portland, Oregon went on strike to fight for better teaching conditions, including smaller classroom sizes, safer classrooms and more planning time (NEA). In the midst of the strike, educators across the country expressed their solidarity. After 15 days of striking, the Portland Association of Teachers reached an agreement with Portland Public Schools promising a 13.75 percent cost-of-living raise, 410 minutes of planning time and new limits on the amount of time educators spend on standardized testing (NEA).

• “Wow. My first year teaching was 1992. Tomorrow is the first day I will have ever had to walk the picket lines. No choice. I’m doing paperwork at 8-9 o’clock some nights. I was told I’d be 3rd grade, I have 1-4. I just can’t keep up.” —Elementary Special Education Teacher in Oregon
  • “Solidarity from Oakland! One day longer, one day stronger!” —Teacher in California 
  • “Solidarity from Michigan, where we have been stripped of the right to strike.” —Educator in Michigan
  • “Good luck! Take a stand. Teachers deserve better!!” —Educator in Texas
  • “Best of luck with your strike! I’m a teacher in LA and have done 2 strikes. It’s not easy, but sometimes it’s the only way to get results.” —Teacher in California
  • “Us teachers from the north are rooting for you. I’ve been on strike 2 times in the last six years. Reasonable pay and working conditions are worth fighting for.” —Middle School Science Teacher in Washington
  • “I started in 1992 as well… in Ontario. I’ve walked the picket line more than once, and it looks like we will again this year. We see the same issues. Violence, no support, and students are falling behind to a great degree. I love my job, but it’s not feasible anymore. So sad.” —Educator in Ontario 
  • “I teach in one of the largest districts in Florida and it will be 10 years in before the salary scale breaks 50,000. Can’t find a decent 3 bedroom rental for under $2,000. Cost of living has skyrocketed. They threw us peanuts and 98% of teachers accepted the new contract.” —Teacher in Florida
  • “Solidarity from NYC! We need to strike here too. So many teachers are exhausted and stressed. This is not healthy or sustainable.” —Educator in New York
  • “I work at least 2 hours a day past my contract time and am unable to strike in New York State. Solidarity to you and I hope you make ripples across the country!” —Educator in New York
• “What I sent to the @PPSConnect School Board today: I am currently sitting on the Burnside Bridge because I really am at the end of my rope. I’m a National Board certified math teacher with 2 master’s degrees and I’ve worked hard for PPS families and students since 2009.” —High School Math Teacher in Oregon
  • “I sent my own kids to PPS schools. I’ve wondered many times whether we were mistaken to invest so much in a place that does not really value teachers and education and just wants us to give and give and give without giving us what we need to do our jobs right and thrive. ”—High School Math Teacher in Oregon
  • “I don’t think you really understand how dire things are for teachers and school workers. It’s not too late to fix things, but the whole system is at risk, and you are barely acting to improve it.” —High School Math Teacher in Oregon
  • “Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about your efforts to support a peaceful resolution to this situation.” —High School Math Teacher in Oregon
• “We are still on strike. I’ve been walking the picket lines.” —Elementary Special Education Teacher in Oregon
• “We’ve been offered 1%, and the expectation to work in the building an extra hour per day. And we are working under an expired contract. Meanwhile district management got 6%.” —Teacher in Minnesota
• We’ve voted to strike in almost every contract negotiation year for the decade+ I’ve been in teaching (actually striking once, in March of 2020). And if they hold to this, I’ll vote ‘yes’ again.” —Teacher in Minnesota
• “We’ve been experiencing a teacher shortage & your teachers are being offered 1%-2% raises.” —High School Teacher in Minnesota
• “Will you please help me and other teachers in Portland, Oregon? We are on Strike for the first time ever. Largest District in our State. We just want to be paid enough to live where we teach.” —High School Educator in Oregon
• “And most teachers with 30 yrs aren’t [guaranteed a six figure salary by year 5]. And that’s a shame. And it needs to change. Why are we the only profession where wages have gone down? Because we tolerate it. And that too needs to change. Kudos to the Portland, Oregon teachers who said, enough.” —Teacher, N/A