All Portland schools closed due to teacher strike

Teachers and other school employees in Portland, Oregon, went on strike on November 1, resulting in the cancellation of classes for tens of thousands of children in Oregon's largest school district. The publication told in more detail The New York Times.

Photo: IStock

The Portland strike follows similar teacher strikes in Los Angeles and Oakland, California, this year. It comes amid high-profile riots in other industries, including Hollywood and Detroit automakers.

What is the essence of the strike?

The Portland Teachers Association, which represents about 3 teachers, guidance counselors and other staff members in the negotiations, is asking for pay raises, more time for lesson planning and class size limits, among other things. They say students' emotional and academic needs have skyrocketed since the pandemic, while workers are under increased pressure and lack of support.

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“We are on strike not only for ourselves, but also for our students,” said union president Angela Bonilla, complaining about overcrowded classrooms where there are not enough desks, teachers working up to 20 hours a week without pay to cope with the workload, and that schools are overburdened with student mental health issues.

According to Portland Public Schools, the average teacher salary in Portland is $87 per year, which is slightly above the region's median income for a single person and below the median income for a family of four.

Portland Public Schools offered salary increases of 4,5% in the first year and 3% in subsequent years of the contract. The union is demanding 8,5% in the first year to keep up with the cost of living, and 6% or 5% in subsequent years.

The county says it can't afford the union's proposal, citing a difference of more than $200 million, while officials say funding from the state Legislature has not kept pace with inflation and state law limits the county's ability to raise taxes on residents.

Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat who last year won the endorsement and significant financial support of the state union that represents teachers, expressed sympathy for the district's position but said discussions about state funding must wait until the 2025 budget cycle.

Days before the strike, she called on both sides to spend “every moment” negotiating. “A strike is not in the best interest of students and families,” she said.

45: number of students affected

Portland Public Schools serves approximately 45 students. 000% of them are white, 55% are Hispanic, 17% are black and 8% are Asian, with the proportion of Hispanics and blacks being higher than the citywide. About a third of students are considered economically disadvantaged.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the district's students spent significant time outside the classroom and remained fully virtual until April 2021, longer than many districts across the country.

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The Portland strike could set the tone for other Oregon counties also trying to negotiate new labor agreements. That includes Salem, the state's second-largest school district.

How long will the strike last?

The short and unsatisfactory answer is: as long as it takes to reach an agreement.

In other districts, strikes lasted from several days to several weeks.

The union called on parents to secure child care while the county's 81 schools are closed. Some schools in Portland offer meals. Starting next week, they plan to organize classes with tutors for the youngest students.

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