A teacher strike disrupts the daily routine of students. It can be an emotionally and physically draining experience for teachers and school staff. It takes time to re-establish classroom routines and build rapport with students. Teachers, like other workers, have the right to organize and take a stand for their rights. But teacher strikes need to be resolved so schools can function normally.
The most common reason for striking is a need for higher wages. But a large number of educators also seek improved working conditions such as smaller class sizes, better support staff, and better facilities. Some even raise issues that are only loosely related to education, such as housing and immigration policy. And it is important to emphasize to students that teachers are not just complaining about their pay; they are standing up for what they believe in.
During a teacher strike, some teachers participate in “walk in” protests where they walk into school wearing union T-shirts and holding signs. Others go on a “work-to-rule” campaign, refusing to complete any work outside their contractual obligations, such as responding to student emails, marking assignments, or planning lessons. During these strikes, staff are considered to be on leave and their employer will deduct one day’s pay for each day they participate in the protest.
Although students lose out by missing instruction during a teacher strike, it is unlikely that their learning will be significantly impacted. This is because student learning expectations are not tied to the number of days that they spend in class. Moreover, a study that analyzes the effect of teacher strikes finds that they tend to have no sizable impact on district policies or student achievement.