Education Policy, Business and Technology

Okla. Teachers' Union Calls for Strike on April 23, But for Many, It's Not Soon Enough

Education Week: Last night, the Oklahoma Education Association announced that schools would shut down across the state if the state legislature does not pass a $10,000 pay raise for teachers and increased funding for schools by April 23.

But that announcement sparked outcry among Oklahoma teachers, who called for a much earlier strike date of April 2. The teachers said April 23 was too late and wouldn't be as effective as striking before state testing dates. Other teachers have floated a March 26 strike date, which is the Monday after spring break. Union leaders said they wanted to give the legislature time to pass a bill that addresses their issues and that superintendents across the state supported the April 23 date.

Late last night, following outrage from teachers, the union deleted the post calling for an April 23 strike date and posted on Facebook: "We hear you. We are putting together more information for you about the strategic reasoning of proposed school closure dates. We all have the same goal: pay raises for education employees and fully funded education. #TogetherWeAreStronger."

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