A teacher strike isn’t easy for anyone involved. It sucks for teachers (who are also parents) who have to figure out how to care for their kids while they’re not at school, and it sucks for districts that lose millions in revenue during the strike. It sucks for students, too, who may experience the effects of stress, lack of structure and attention from their peers, and a shift in learning styles that can last long after the strike has ended.
But it’s also a time when people can find their inner rally-monkey and make a difference. And it’s a moment when we should remember that the human beings on both sides of the dispute aren’t perfect. They will yell, they will scream, they might even lash out. They might be hurt, they will feel disappointed and angry, and they might not have a good understanding of why the other side is doing what they’re doing.
A new NBER working paper examining the causes and consequences of 772 strikes across the country from 2007 to 2023 offers some clarity on why teachers walk out. It’s not just about pay, though – in 89 percent of strikes, teachers were demanding improved working conditions like smaller class sizes, more resources and support staff, or a commitment to racial justice. They were also seeking to have a voice in political decisions that impact their work, such as funding, housing and immigration policy. These political demands appear to be a key driver in the success of strikes.