NPR

Teachers Are Marching Ahead Of Their Unions, From Oklahoma To Arizona

Oklahoma and Kentucky teachers are both walking out of school Monday, and teachers in other states are watching closely. In many states, teachers are organizing with and without unions.
Source: Chelsea Beck

"I'm 54 years old and my paycheck is $1,980 [a month]. I can't afford f****** health insurance."

That's one of the first things Larry Cagle says on the phone. He is spitting nails. The Tulsa English teacher is one of the leaders of a grassroots organizing group, Oklahoma Teachers United, that they say represents thousands of public school teachers around the state. His group, and both of Oklahoma's teachers unions, support the walkout and rally happening across the state Monday in support of higher wages and more state revenue.

Teachers are striking even of about $6,000 last week. That vote followed earlier walkouts. The bill, if signed, would bring Oklahoma's , to the middle of the pack.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readInternational Relations
Gaza Cease-fire Resolutions Roil U.S. Local Communities
As local elected officials continue to face pressure to pass resolutions calling for an end to the fighting in Gaza, some aren't sure how or whether to take a stand at all.
NPR6 min read
Fair Reporting On The Israel-Hamas War
There's been a lot of public conversation this past week about whether NPR's attachment to bringing diverse voices onto its staff and airwaves is a good thing or a bad thing. This current debate arose in reaction to a column last week written by a fr
NPR4 min read
Wildfire Smoke Contributes To Thousands Of Deaths Each Year In The U.S.
Two new studies show the unseen toll smoke is taking on people across the country. Climate change is likely to make the problem even bigger.

Related