Teachers in Portland, Oregon, went on strike on Wednesday, causing schools to close for approximately 45,000 students. The strike was a result of concerns over large class sizes, stagnant salaries, and inadequate resources. This strike is just one of many in the growing organized labor movement in the United States.
Sarah Trapido, a special education teacher at Kellogg Middle School, expressed the need for change, stating, “Our kids deserve more than teachers that are absolutely exhausted and at the end of their ropes.” The Portland Association of Teachers, which represents over 4,000 educators, stated that this was the first-ever teachers strike in the school district. The union has been negotiating with the district for months for a new contract.
Portland Public Schools claimed that they do not have the funds to meet the demands of the union. However, teachers argue that the funding has not kept pace with the needs of the students and educators. Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero explained, “We strive to offer compensation that attracts and retains talent. But unlike a private organization, we don’t have record profits we can tap into.”
During the strike, schools remain closed, and there is no classroom or online instruction. The district is scheduled to meet with the union and a state mediator on Friday in hopes of resolving the issues. In the meantime, teachers have been picketing, rallying, and expressing their frustrations outside of Kellogg Middle School.
The overwhelming workload and lack of support in the classroom have taken a toll on the mental health of many educators. Katarina Juarez, an eighth-grade language arts teacher, revealed that doctors have suggested she quit her job due to the strain it has placed on her well-being. She explained, “I feel like I’m failing them if I’m not putting that time in. But I’m really harming myself and my family in the process.”
Aside from working conditions, pay has also been a concern, especially for new teachers in Portland. The cost of living has increased, and the starting annual base salary in the district is around $50,000. The union has proposed a 20% salary increase over three years, while the district has proposed half of that.
The district argues that the union’s proposals would lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional spending and potential staffing cuts. Declining enrollment, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is also a financial concern for the district.
This year has seen numerous high-profile strikes in public education across the country. In March, workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District went on strike for better wages and increased staffing. In May, the union representing teachers in Oakland, California, went on strike, demanding not only higher salaries but also changes addressing social and economic needs of students.
The union in Portland announced that 99% of teachers voted in favor of the strike, with 93% of its members participating in the ballot. Both Oregon’s U.S. Senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, expressed their support for the striking teachers while urging both the union and the school district to work towards a fair agreement.
The strike in Portland highlights the ongoing issues within the education system, emphasizing the need for adequate resources, fair compensation, and support for educators.