The Defense of Public Education
As public support builds for Ontario teachers’ struggle, government denounces walkouts
By Carl Bronski and Roger Jordan, 25 January 2020
A recent opinion poll has underscored that most Ontarians support teachers in striking against the Ford government’s class-size increases and gutting of education support services.
An Open Letter to fellow Educators: Take a stand with Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By James McDonald, 15 January 2020
A long-time educator has submitted the following statement to the WSWS.
Thousands of Florida educators rally to demand increase in pay and school spending
By Matthew MacEgan, 14 January 2020
Defying threats of firings and massive fines for engaging in what some officials called an illegal strike, teachers rode chartered buses and car-pooled from as far away as Miami, nearly 500 miles from the state capital.
Rank-and-file teachers in San Diego County initiate fight against layoffs and school cuts
By Evelyn Rios, 13 January 2020
After union-sanctioned mass layoffs, San Diego area teachers call for rank-and-file committees in every school to mobilize students, parents and workers to defend hundreds of educators' jobs.
Widespread opposition among South Australian teachers to union-government sell-out agreement
By Sue Phillips, 9 January 2020
The AEU claims that the government’s offer was passed by a narrow margin of 54–46 percent.
San Diego teachers notified of looming pink slips and layoffs
By Evelyn Rios, 28 December 2019
Amidst the continued cuts by the Sweetwater Union High School District, teachers are beginning to speak out in defense of their jobs and the future of education.
Democratic Party candidates posture at union-sponsored education forum
By Dan Conway, 19 December 2019
Both the presidential candidates and the teachers union officials present at the Pittsburgh forum have a proven track record of opposing and sabotaging teachers struggles.
UC Santa Cruz graduate students wildcat strike enters critical phase
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 18 December 2019
The students, whose demand is a “Cost of Living Adjustment” to their wages as Graduate Teaching Assistants, are withholding submitting the final grades for Fall quarter.
New York Times uses racial politics to promote charter schools
By Nancy Hanover, 14 December 2019
The New York Times recently published a dishonest article promoting racial politics in defense of charter schools.
Wave of teachers strikes confront attacks on pensions and working conditions in Brazil
By Tomas Castanheira, 13 December 2019
Bolsonaro’s government and its Economy Minister Paulo Guedes have made it clear that they aim to privatize all public services, including schools.
California graduate students on wildcat strike
By Evelyn Rios, 11 December 2019
Graduate students at the University of California, Santa Cruz are demanding raises to meet the cost of living in one of the country's most expensive regions.
The Reiss Center at NYU’s Law School: A think tank for the national security establishment and the Democratic Party
Part 2: The Reiss Center’s role in the impeachment crisis and anti-Russia campaign
By the New York University IYSSE, 11 December 2019
The Reiss Center embodies the convergence of the interests of finance capital, the Democratic Party, and the military and intelligence apparatus.
Harvard grad student strike in second week
By Kate Randall, 10 December 2019
The UAW’s isolation of the strike is part of a deliberate strategy to defeat the struggle of graduate students.
The Reiss Center at NYU’s Law School: A think tank for the national security establishment and the Democratic Party
Part 1: Obama’s national security apparatus in exile
By the New York University IYSSE, 10 December 2019
The Reiss Center embodies the convergence of the interests of finance capital, the Democratic Party and the military and intelligence apparatus.
United Teachers Los Angeles and National Nurses Union back Democratic candidate
Union sellouts endorse the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign
By Dan Conway and Matt Rigel, 7 December 2019
The United Teachers Los Angeles and the National Nurses Union have both endorsed Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Ontario teachers strike against government assault on public education
By our reporters, 6 December 2019
Wednesday’s province-wide high school teachers’ strike won widespread support from parents, students and other working people.
Thousands of teachers strike in Croatia
By Markus Salzmann, 5 December 2019
The teachers, on strike for over a month, are demanding increased wages and improved working conditions in schools and colleges.
Harvard University graduate student union begins strike over pay, conditions
By Kate Randall, 4 December 2019
The HGSU-UAW has made only token appeals to other sections of workers at Harvard to support the grad student workers’ strike and has offered substantial concessions to the university on virtually all issues.
Students walk out in support of Nashville teacher victimized for assigning homework on the “N-word”
By Trévon Austin, 27 November 2019
Steven Small was the subject of an anonymous complaint from a parent after he gave students an assignment discussing the 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fences” and its use of the racial slur.
More than 15,000 Indiana teachers walk off job against low wages and attacks on public education
By George Marlowe, 20 November 2019
Indiana teachers confront conditions no less horrendous than their counterparts throughout the United States and internationally.
Chicago Teachers Unions pushes through austerity contract, paving way for school closures
By Kristina Betinis, 18 November 2019
The five-year contract, lauded by union and city leaders, threatens more school closures and continues the starvation of the country’s third-largest school district.
School closures threatened as Chicago teachers vote on widely-hated tentative agreement
By George Marlowe, 15 November 2019
The Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey wrote a letter threatening school closures by Mayor Lightfoot as teachers vote on an agreement favored by Wall Street and widely opposed by new and veteran educators.
Little Rock, Arkansas teachers stage one-day strike
By Nancy Hanover, 15 November 2019
In their first strike in 32 years, teachers in Little Rock, Arkansas, walked out to oppose privatization.
Union-backed Chicago Sun-Times attacks Chicago teachers
By Michael Walters and George Gallanis, 14 November 2019
The Sun-Times, co-owned by the Chicago Federation of Labor, published several articles smearing and attacking Chicago teachers for fighting for improved schools and wages.
University of California union attempts to wear down workers with a sixth 24-hour strike
By Evelyn Rios, 13 November 2019
The real concern of the union is the amount of dues revenue that will be lost if UC continues to employ outsourced labor.
Defying their unions, Dutch teachers stage countrywide one-day strike
By Harm Zonderland and Parwini Zora, 9 November 2019
The teachers’ action was the latest in a series of mass protests across the country, which has been dubbed an “autumn of discontent.”
Massive vote in favour of strike by Ontario elementary school teachers
By Jake Silver and Roger Jordan, 9 November 2019
The virtually unanimous strike vote by teachers reflects the depth of opposition to the government’s austerity agenda and is part of a growing upsurge of the class struggle internationally.
Vote “no” on the tentative teachers' contract! Form rank-and-file committees to defend public education in Chicago!
By Alexander Fangmann, 7 November 2019
With voting set to begin on the tentative agreement, teachers and other educators in Chicago are approaching a critical juncture in the fight to defend public education.
Chicago teachers denounce union’s sellout agreement as Bernie Sanders, Democrats claim “victory”
By George Marlowe, 5 November 2019
Despite the official celebration, the CTU’s tentative agreement for a five-year contract entirely accepts the terms set by Chicago Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
UK: Tens of thousands of university and college staff vote to strike
Ballot follows strike votes by postal workers, railway conductors, airline pilots, NHS staff
By Barry Mason, 4 November 2019
Record turnouts by hundreds of thousands of workers for industrial action reveal the extent of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's collusion with trade union bureaucrats to suppress a social explosion over the past 4 years.
Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s budget: Increased policing and austerity on behalf of the financial aristocracy
By Alexander Fangmann, 2 November 2019
Lightfoot’s first budget, containing large increases to the police department and higher fees affecting workers, is a continuation of the Democratic Party’s right-wing assault on the working class.
Chicago Teachers Union attempting to ram through tentative agreement over widespread opposition
By Kristina Betinis, 31 October 2019
The tentative agreement announced by the CTU Wednesday night betrays all the aspirations of the 24,000 teachers who have been on strike for ten days.
Chicago Teachers Union preparing the betrayal of teachers' strike
By a WSWS reporting team, 30 October 2019
The CTU is laying the groundwork for the betrayal of the ten-day strike of 25,000 public school teachers, the city's second-longest in over two decades.
Striking Chicago teachers and staff determined to defend public education
By a WSWS reporting team, 29 October 2019
WSWS reporters spoke with teachers picketing in Chicago on Monday who expressed their determination to defend public education and improve conditions in Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago Teachers Union and Democratic Party conspire to end Chicago teachers strike
By George Gallanis and George Marlowe, 26 October 2019
The powerful strike by 32,000 Chicago teachers is in danger of being isolated and betrayed by the Chicago Teachers Union.
The way forward in the Chicago teachers strike
The defense of public education and the fight for socialism
By the Socialist Equality Party, 26 October 2019
The strike by 32,000 Chicago teachers and support staff, now in its second week, is at a crossroads.
Teachers’ union calls on Elizabeth Warren in bid to strangle strike against Chicago’s Democratic machine
By Barry Grey, 23 October 2019
At Tuesday’s rally, AFT President Weingarten began by holding up the sellout of this year’s Los Angeles teachers’ strike as a victory and model for the Chicago teachers.
Striking Chicago educators speak on their demands
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 October 2019
Keyatta, a teacher’s assistant at Laura Ward Elementary said, “We need more support! Smaller class sizes, more nurses, more support staff, so no one person is trying to teach 35 kids, all at different learning levels."
32,000 Chicago Public Schools teachers and staff strike
By Kristina Betinis, 17 October 2019
Teachers must make an independent initiative to expand their struggle against the Democratic Party and its program of austerity and corporate-backed “school reform.”
Chicago Teachers Union announces “path” to block strike and impose austerity settlement
By Kristina Betinis, 14 October 2019
CTU leaders announced on Saturday a proposal that will allow the district to “phase in” resources in a school system that has been denied the basics for decades.
Brazilian unions push “green and yellow” chauvinism in education strike against austerity, political interference
By Miguel Andrade, 9 October 2019
A range of issues, from austerity measures to privatizations, have repeatedly brought students to the streets, causing panic not only in the government, but in the unions and the opposition.
Chicago teachers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
By Kristina Betinis, 28 September 2019
The 94 percent authorization vote is a powerful expression of opposition to the conditions imposed by decades of Democratic mayoral administrations.
Teachers set to strike in southern Alaska
By Dan Conway, 17 September 2019
Teachers in southern Alaska will begin strike activity Tuesday, joining the mass upsurge of teachers in the US and around the globe who have, over the past two years, come out in force to fight for decent pay and benefits and better conditions for students.
As negotiations drag on
Chicago teachers union sets September 26 date for strike authorization vote
By Kristina Betinis, 7 September 2019
If a strike wins support by 75 percent of CTU members, teachers could walk out October 7.
Schools begin in Denver amid sweltering heat and ongoing protests
By Bill Knowles, 5 September 2019
Many Denver teachers, still reeling from the betrayal of their strike last February, have been forced to return to the classrooms in scorching heat.
Chicago-area college advertises for strikebreakers as faculty walkout looms
By Michael Walters, 31 August 2019
After years of pay freezes, hundreds of College of DuPage teachers are determined to restore their wages and prevent further attacks on working conditions.
Vote No! No cuts or layoffs!
Seattle teachers must fight for the defense of public education
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 28 August 2019
Washington state teachers again face a turning point in the fight to defend public education.
As the new US school year begins
The political battle facing teachers
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 28 August 2019
Teachers across the globe are escalating the fight against social inequality, the growing privatization of education and the unrelenting attacks on their standard of living.
Tensions rise as unions and district attempt to head off strike by Las Vegas teachers
By Dan Conway, 27 August 2019
After thousands of teachers flooded a meeting of the Clark County School District demanding their contractually-mandated raises, school board members abruptly ended the meeting before being escorted out by police.
The future is socialism, but it must be fought for
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US), 27 August 2019
Students and youth must fight to build an independent political movement of the working class, in opposition to all the parties and organizations that support capitalism.
San Francisco school board proposes “compromise” in move to suppress historic Depression-era murals
By Toby Reese, 15 August 2019
School board officials in San Francisco continue their attempt to censor the left-wing murals painted by Victor Arnautoff at George Washington High School despite broad popular opposition.
Book Review: Red State Revolt – Part I
The DSA’s dishonest and self-serving account of the US teachers’ strikes
By Nancy Hanover, 8 August 2019
A new book by Democratic Socialists of America member Eric Blanc reviewing the role of the DSA during the teacher strikes in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona aims to boost the credibility of the unions and the Democratic Party.
“I want to strike and send a message to the city”
With anger growing, Chicago Teachers Union floats threat of September walkout
By Kristina Betinis, 22 July 2019
Teachers who have suffered through years of falling real income, deteriorating classroom conditions and mass layoffs are determined to fight, but they face a brick wall of opposition from the CTU.
Contract for more than 20,000 Chicago teachers expires
By Kristina Betinis, 2 July 2019
Last month, contracts for teachers also expired in Baltimore, Maryland; Newark, New Jersey and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Democrats promote right-wing, racialist politics
Michigan Governor Whitmer ties fate of Benton Harbor High School to test scores
By Joseph Lorenz, 2 July 2019
The new offer ties the fate of the high school and possibly the district to test score performance benchmarks as well as financial obligations.
West Virginia legalizes charter schools
By Nancy Hanover, 29 June 2019
Defying the overwhelming sentiments of teachers, students and workers, Governor Jim Justice signed a bill legalizing the state’s first-ever charter schools.
“This is a class question… All students should have equal access to education”
Second of two “Fund Our School” rallies held in Michigan
By Phyllis Steele, 26 June 2019
The small turnout at the protest, organized by the unions to back the budget proposal of the state’s new Democratic governor, was only a pale reflection of the deep discontent over decades of school funding cuts.
Michigan teachers rally to “fund our schools” after 20 years of bipartisan cuts
By Lawrence Porter and Jesse Thomas, 19 June 2019
Teachers across Michigan rallied at the state capitol Tuesday voicing their outrage over a generation of budget cuts.
Vote no to union sellout of New Zealand teachers! Mobilise the working class against the Ardern Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 June 2019
Following last month’s historic strike, the primary and secondary teacher unions are seeking to impose a sellout deal and shut down the teachers’ struggle.
Union halts New Jersey teachers’ strike after one day
By Erik Schreiber, 13 June 2019
Union officials in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey are negotiating behind the backs of educators to impose a sellout contracts.
Los Angeles schools superintendent warns of “reckoning” after failure of property tax measure
By Dan Conway, 13 June 2019
In an effort to justify its shutdown of the LA teacher strike in January, the unions told educators to look to the Democratic Party-backed tax measure to increase school funding.
Union betrayal ends three-week teacher strike in Hayward-Union City, California
By Evan Blake, 11 June 2019
After striking for 14 days, New Haven teachers were pressured heavily to vote for the union’s sellout contract.
Minnesota nurses seek united struggle as contracts for 13,000 Twin Cities hospital workers expire
By Jonas Boquist, 10 June 2019
Allina, which provoked a 37-day strike in 2016 that was betrayed by the union, is once again spearheading the attack on nurses.
Strikes in Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras
Teachers struggles erupt across Latin America
By Andrea Lobo, 8 June 2019
The response by the ruling class to the resistance led by teachers has been the same everywhere: the claim that there is “no money” and police state repression.
New Zealand secondary teachers’ union cancels industrial action
By Tom Peters, 7 June 2019
There is growing anger over the Labour Party-led government’s refusal to adequately fund education, and the unions’ efforts to isolate teachers.
Michigan governor announces closure of Benton Harbor High School
By Joseph Lorenz and JT Asher, 7 June 2019
Students, parents and community members denounced Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s unilateral decision to close Benton Harbor High School at a school board meeting this week.
Stop the closure of Benton Harbor schools! Defend public education!
By the World Socialist Web Site Teacher Newsletter, 7 June 2019
The following statement was distributed to teachers, parents and students at a school board meeting Tuesday night in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
As new Democratic mayor takes office
Chicago Public Schools lay off hundreds of teachers and staff
By Kristina Betinis, 5 June 2019
Layoff notices were sent to 220 teachers and 498 support staff ahead of the June 30 Chicago Teachers Union contract expiration.
University of Chicago graduate student union plans three-day picket
By George Gallanis, 1 June 2019
Graduate students must take this struggle out of the hands of the American Federation of Teachers-backed Graduate Students United union and form rank-and-file committees.
American educators demand freedom for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 1 June 2019
The WSWS Teacher Newsletter has received many statements from educators in support of Assange and Manning.
Democrat Tony Thurmond fails to shut down New Haven teachers strike in California
By Evan Blake, 1 June 2019
After facilitating the betrayal of the Oakland and Los Angeles teachers strikes, Thurmond has been brought in by the New Haven Teachers Association to end their strike.
“What we need to do is storm Sacramento”
New Haven teachers speak on conditions
By David Brown, 1 June 2019
Teachers across the New Haven School District spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about the strike and the difficult conditions they face as educators.
As teachers union abandons demands and calls in Democrats
New Haven, California teachers strike at a crossroads
By Evan Blake and David Brown, 31 May 2019
The New Haven Teachers Association is working with state Democrats to end the teachers strike as quickly as possible with a sellout contract
52,000 teachers strike in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 30 May 2019
The biggest teachers’ strike in the country’s history drew support from many parents and workers who are affected by the worsening social crisis.
As secret negotiations resume between unions and school district
New Haven teachers strike enters fourth day
By Toby Reese and Evan Blake, 23 May 2019
To carry their struggle forward, New Haven teachers must break free from the pro-Democratic Party teachers’ unions, which are preparing to sell them out in the same manner as in Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento.
Teachers strike in New Haven School District, Northern California
By Dan Conway, 22 May 2019
The California Teachers Association is sponsoring a #RedForEd “Day of Action” at the state capital of Sacramento on Wednesday.
One million take to the streets against education cuts, austerity in Brazil
By Miguel Andrade, 18 May 2019
The powerful demonstrations by teachers and students in over 200 cities targeted both fascistic President Bolsonaro and Workers Party (PT) state governors.
University of California unions wear down workers with fifth one-day strike
By Evelyn Rios, 17 May 2019
Dwindling numbers participate in the fifth one-day, unpaid strike, as workers have been kept on the job without a contract for nearly two years.
Detroit teachers demand action on pay, class sizes and testing
By J. Cooper, 16 May 2019
Hundreds of red-shirted teachers demanded to be heard at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
A socialist program needed to halt assault on university students and staff
By Mike Head: SEP candidate for Oxley, 14 May 2019
The Socialist Equality Party is alone in calling for a vast redistribution of wealth to secure the basic social right to free, high-quality public education at all levels.
The teachers’ revolt and the fight for social equality
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 14 May 2019
Three years ago, Detroit teachers were the first to organize sickouts and protests that exposed the crisis of public education to a national and international audience.
“I am ready to stay out and not going back in until we get everything we need”
More than 20,000 participate in Oregon walkouts for public education
By Kayla Costa, 9 May 2019
Teachers were joined by thousands of students, parents and school workers at demonstrations in multiple cities across the state.
Ontario government slashes post-secondary education funding and student aid
By Penny Smith, 9 May 2019
Ford’s cuts are part of a concerted drive to restructure post-secondary education to tailor it even more to the demands of big business.
Removal of white educator from African American history class in Michigan sparks widespread outrage
By Phyllis Steele and Nancy Hanover, 9 May 2019
The removal of the high school teacher from an advanced placement course in a Detroit suburb occurred after a group of parents objected to a nationally-developed, comprehensive curriculum for the class.
Polls show growing sentiment for teachers strike in Mississippi
By J. L’Heureau, 4 May 2019
Mississippi educators, seeking to join the international strike wave of teachers, are demanding action against poverty wages and abysmal working conditions.
San Diego Sweetwater Teachers Union begins bargaining as false financial situation reported by district
By Evelyn Rios, 4 May 2019
The union and district are negotiating an austerity contract based on what is most likely fraudulent accounting, amidst allegations of fraud and mismanagement investigations.
“We would benefit greatly if budgets were spent on minds instead of mines”
30,000 march for public education in North and South Carolina
By Ed Hightower, 2 May 2019
Tens of thousands of US teachers marched in the Carolinas on May Day to demand increased pay and school funding and an end to the war against public education.
May Day: Police rampage in Paris as hundreds of thousands march in France
By Alex Lantier, 2 May 2019
After clashes broke out with unidentified “black block” protesters, police indiscriminately assaulted peaceful protesters, journalists, and top union officials.
Year after Arizona strike, teacher walkouts and protests spread in US
By Jerry White, 30 April 2019
Mass protests scheduled for North and South Carolina tomorrow are part of a renewed wave of planned strikes and demonstrations by educators, including in New York City, Chicago and Detroit.
US teachers in the Carolinas to hold mass protests on May Day
By Shelley Connor, 29 April 2019
The simultaneous eruption of teachers struggles in the Carolinas occurs against the backdrop of a continuing wave of teacher strikes and protests around the globe.
In naked sellout, union announces end to strike by 300,000 Polish teachers
By Will Morrow and Clara Weiss, 27 April 2019
The union is covering up the fact that it is ending the strike without meeting any of the teachers’ demands by claiming the strike is being “suspended.”
University of Illinois at Chicago faculty announces deal on eve of strike
By George Gallanis, 26 April 2019
More than 1,100 professors, lecturers, instructors and assistant professors are voting on a concessionary contract being pushed by the UIC United Faculty union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.
As union seeks to end walkout
Polish teachers speak out on why they are striking
By Will Morrow, 25 April 2019
The main teachers’ union has called for the suspension of the powerful strike to allow students to complete their exams.
Rutgers University faculty union blocks strike by professors and teaching assistants
By Owen Mullan, 25 April 2019
The American Federation of Teachers acted to prevent a coordinated fight by educators against the Democrats’ austerity measures.
Unions scramble to contain Polish teachers’ strike as 40,000 social workers prepare to stop work
By Clara Weiss, 24 April 2019
The teachers’ strike, the first nationwide walkout since 1993, is one of the largest strikes since the restoration of capitalism in Poland in 1989.
US education secretary to gut regulations, seek a “major shift” in higher education
Part 2: Plundering the education “market”
By Rebecca DeCarlo and Nancy Hanover, 22 April 2019
The US Department of Education is giving a green light to the development of new for-profit entities, which take a staggering cut of 60 percent or more from tuition payments.
UK education system breaking apart after decade of cuts
By Tom Pearce, 22 April 2019
Funding per pupil in England continues to fall, with a further 3 percent drop to come in the next period.
US education secretary to gut regulations, seek a “major shift” in higher education—Part 1
By Nancy Hanover, 20 April 2019
A crude assault on educational standards, which hardens the class divide in educational access and spurs the plundering of the “education market,” is being enacted under the cover of “rule-making” by the US Department of Education.
“Without truth and a free press we are doomed to further oppression”
Teachers demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 19 April 2019
Teachers have been in the forefront of a wave of global strikes and struggles over the last year, which terrifies the ruling class and is motivating its attack on free speech and democratic rights.
Polish government vows to fight wage rises as teachers’ strike enters second week
By Clara Weiss, 17 April 2019
Both the Polish government and the ZNP union are trying to isolate the national teachers’ strike and keep it from sparking a broader movement of the working class.
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