Overview

• Teachers in Portland, Oregon have initiated the district's first ever strike, leaving 45,000 students without access to school due to ongoing disputes over class sizes, salaries, and available resources
• Despite a record budget of $10.2 billion for K-12 education approved by Oregon lawmakers, the school district claims it does not have the funds to meet the demands of the teachers' union
• Many of the educators participating in the strike report feeling overwhelmed and unsupported in their classrooms, with long hours that negatively impact their physical and mental health
• The Portland Association of Teachers is seeking a 20% salary increase over three years and is also pushing for caps on class sizes and increased planning time for teachers
• The strike is part of a broader wave of organized labor movements across the United States, which have seen thousands of workers across various sectors join picket lines this year