New York City teachers' strike of 1968

New York City teachers' strike of 1968 was a pivotal labor dispute involving the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), led by Albert Shanker, and the New York City Board of Education. The strike, which began in September 1968, was a culmination of tensions between the UFT and the Board of Education, with key figures such as John V. Lindsay, the Mayor of New York City, and Shirley Chisholm, a prominent U.S. Representative, playing important roles. The strike drew national attention, with The New York Times and other major newspapers covering the events, and involved notable organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

Background

The background to the strike was complex, involving issues of collective bargaining, teacher tenure, and community control of schools, with the Ocean Hill-Brownsville neighborhood being a focal point. The UFT, under the leadership of Albert Shanker, had been seeking greater autonomy for teachers and better working conditions, while the New York City Board of Education, led by Harold Campbell, was pushing for greater community involvement in school decision-making. Key figures like Bayard Rustin, a prominent civil rights leader, and A. Philip Randolph, a leading labor rights advocate, were also involved in the discussions. The strike was influenced by broader social and political movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-War Movement, with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) playing important roles.

Causes of the Strike

The causes of the strike were multifaceted, involving issues of racial tension, socioeconomic inequality, and educational reform. The UFT was concerned about the implementation of community control in schools, which they saw as a threat to their professional autonomy, while the New York City Board of Education was pushing for greater community involvement in school decision-making. The strike was also influenced by the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party and the broader society, with figures like Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy playing important roles. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Urban League were also involved in the discussions, with key figures like Thurgood Marshall and Whitney Young weighing in on the issues.

The Strike

The strike, which began on September 9, 1968, involved over 50,000 teachers and affected over 1 million students, with schools like Stuyvesant High School and Brooklyn Technical High School being closed. The strike was marked by picketing, rallies, and demonstrations, with key figures like Coretta Scott King and Ralph Abernathy showing their support for the teachers. The strike was also influenced by the 1968 presidential election, with candidates like Richard Nixon and George Wallace weighing in on the issues, and organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the American Conservative Union (ACU) playing important roles. The strike drew national attention, with The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times covering the events, and involved notable figures like Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the strike was complex, with the UFT and the New York City Board of Education eventually reaching a settlement, which included the establishment of a grievance procedure and the creation of a teacher evaluation system. The strike had a significant impact on the New York City school system, with the implementation of community control in schools and the establishment of decentralized school districts, such as the New York City Department of Education. The strike also had broader implications, influencing education policy and labor relations across the United States, with organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers playing important roles. Key figures like Ted Kennedy and George McGovern weighed in on the issues, and the strike drew comparisons to other major labor disputes, like the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Flint Sit-Down Strike.

Impact on Education Policy

The impact of the strike on education policy was significant, with the implementation of community control in schools and the establishment of decentralized school districts. The strike also led to a greater emphasis on teacher professionalism and educational reform, with organizations like the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation playing important roles. The strike influenced the development of education policy at the national level, with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA), and involved notable figures like Lyndon B. Johnson and Gerald Ford. The strike also had implications for labor relations and collective bargaining in the education sector, with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) playing important roles. Overall, the strike was a pivotal moment in the history of American education, with far-reaching implications for education policy and labor relations. Category:Labor disputes in the United States