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Teachers Strike

The latest updates on Portland’s teachers strike.
Posted inTeachers Strike

The Portland Teachers’ Strike Is Over. The Conversation About Oregon’s Education System Is Just Heating Up.

With the unprecedented strike resolved, teachers are calculating the return on investment. School leaders are lambasting the state’s school funding formula.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

To some, the recent Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers’ strike was a “watershed moment” with big results. To others, the nearly-month-long strike was mishandled and left teachers, students, and other district stakeholders wanting more. Though recollections of the strike won’t fit neatly into a single narrative, it undeniably forced broader conversations about labor and statewide […]

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PPS and the Teachers’ Union Ratified a Contract Agreement. Now What?

While the teachers’ strike is officially over, questions remain over calendar changes, and students are frustrated after being left out of decision making.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland Public Schools (PPS) educators and students returned to the classroom on Monday, November 27, after a nearly month-long teachers’ strike. But before the contract agreement between PPS and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union could be called a done deal, the union and school board had to vote to ratify it. On Tuesday, […]

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With a Tentative Agreement Reached Between PPS and Teachers’ Union, Students Will Return To School

If the union and school board approve the tentative agreement, the historic Portland Public Schools strike will officially come to an end.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

After a lengthy and historic strike, Portland Public Schools (PPS) administration and its teachers’ union reached a tentative contract agreement. Though the agreement has yet to be ratified by members of the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union or the PPS school board— both will need to sign off on the terms of the contract […]

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Disagreement About Class Size Decisions Fueling Teachers’ Strike Stalemate

Amid weeks-long strike, the teachers’ union says parents should help make decisions about how many students can be enrolled in a class. PPS board members disagree.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers and district management have been negotiating a new contract for the better part of a year, with educators proposing substantial cost-of-living-adjustments, mental health support reform, and more. But as the PPS teachers’ strike nears the three-week mark, it appears the final sticking point in contract negotiations is about whether or […]

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After the Teachers’ Strike, How Will PPS Make Up For Lost Time?

The strike is still ongoing, but concerns about students meeting educational requirements are taking hold.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

While recent bargaining developments may increase the chances of Portland Public Schools (PPS) students being back in school before the end of November, the PPS teachers’ strike— currently on day 12— is already one of the longest in recent American history. No matter when the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union and PPS management come […]

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City Hopes Clean Energy Funds Will Help End Teachers Strike as It Surpasses the Two-Week Mark

With Thanksgiving Break days away, PPS and the teachers’ union still haven’t reached a contract agreement. City officials hope fast-tracked clean energy funds will help.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Update: Portland Public Schools announced late Thursday that students will not return to school until at least November 27. Educators from Portland Public Schools (PPS) began their historic strike on November 1, temporarily shutting down more than 80 schools across the city. Since then, little progress has been made to relax the stalemate between the […]

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“We Don’t Cross Picket Lines”: Benson High School Construction Workers Walk Off The Job In Solidarity With Striking Teachers

“We aren’t gonna build this thing if [PPS] doesn’t meet their demands,” one union electrician said.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Construction workers have been onsite at Benson Polytechnic High School’s inner Northeast Portland campus for more than two years, laboring away at the $300 million school modernization project set to be complete next summer. But in the last few days, workers at Benson have walked off the job in solidarity with members of the Portland […]

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PPS Unions Representing Administrative, Cafeteria, and Custodial Workers Request Mediation

The PPS labor relations crisis isn’t limited to the ongoing teachers’ strike.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

In the midst of the ongoing Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers strike, two other unions representing school employees have filed for mediation with the district. The decision comes after months of failed bargaining between the district and non-teacher school employees, and demonstrates how PPS’ labor relations turmoil extends far beyond its educators’ union.  Last Friday, […]

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In Week Two of Teachers’ Strike, State Legislators Align With Union

PPS leaders tried to petition state lawmakers for more education funding to meet teachers’ demands. The strategy may have backfired.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

After a weekend of inconclusive bargaining between Portland Public Schools (PPS) management and members of the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union, PPS educators have entered their second week on strike. Now, as members of the Oregon legislature strengthen their alliance with the union, the impasse between PAT and PPS is proving steadfast.    In […]

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Oregon Legislators to Portland Public Schools: “Take the Reins” and Handle the Strike

State lawmakers aren’t jumping at the opportunity to reallocate state funds to end the teacher strike.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

As Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers continue their strike for higher wages, more planning time, and better building conditions, tension is brewing between the district and Oregon legislators.  Throughout the lengthy bargaining process between PPS and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union, the district has maintained it can’t afford to accept the union’s contract […]

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Amid Teachers’ Strike, Other Portland Public Schools Staff File Grievance With District

Members of the Portland Federation of School Professionals say the district has asked them to perform work outside their contract.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

As members of the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union continue their historic strike, another Portland Public Schools (PPS) union claims the district is asking its members to cross the picket line and perform work they’re unqualified to do.  Due to the Portland teachers’ strike, roughly 45,000 Portland students are out of class for the […]

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Portland Teachers’ Strike: District Asks State For Money; Teachers Say “Hold The Line”

With each group pointing to a different solution for the district’s funding woes, the stalemate between teachers and Portland Public Schools won’t let up.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

The first day of the unprecedented Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers’ strike is over, but it’s unclear when students might return to school.  With day two on the horizon, educators from the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union held a big rally outside Roosevelt High School Wednesday, November 1, after a morning of picketing at […]

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