What Is 2019 Chicago Public Schools Strike

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Chicago Public Schools strike lasted from October 17 to October 24, involving over 25,000 teachers and paraprofessionals. It was the first teachers' strike in Chicago since 2012 and ended with a new contract including smaller class sizes and more support staff.

Key Facts

Strike began on October 17, 2019, and lasted 7 school days
Over 25,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union participated
Affected more than 320,000 students across 550+ schools
First strike since 2012, when teachers walked out for 7 days
Settled on October 24 with a new 5-year contract

Overview

The 2019 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) strike was a major labor action led by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), marking the first citywide teachers’ strike in seven years. It disrupted education for hundreds of thousands of students and drew national attention to issues of public school funding, class size, and support staff ratios.

The walkout highlighted growing tensions between educators and city leadership over working conditions and student resources. After a week of protests, negotiations, and community mobilization, a new contract was ratified, addressing key demands from the union.

October 17, 2019: Over 25,000 teachers and paraprofessionals began picketing at schools citywide, halting in-person instruction.
320,000+ students: Were impacted across more than 550 schools, many of whom relied on school for meals and childcare.
Seven-day duration: The strike lasted through October 24, making it one of the longest in CPS history.
Chicago Teachers Union (CTU): Led the strike, demanding smaller class sizes, more nurses and social workers, and protection from privatization.
First strike since 2012: This was the second major teachers’ strike in Chicago in a decade, reflecting ongoing systemic challenges.

How It Works

The strike was coordinated through collective bargaining efforts between the CTU and Chicago Public Schools management, with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration playing a central role in negotiations.

Negotiation Process: The CTU and CPS held talks for months before the strike, but failed to reach an agreement on staffing and classroom resources by the October 17 deadline.
Union Authorization: In September 2019, 94% of CTU members voted in favor of strike action, giving union leaders strong mandate.
Daily Picketing: Teachers gathered at school entrances each morning, often joined by parents and community activists, maintaining visibility and solidarity.
Contract Demands: The union sought enforceable caps on class sizes, one nurse and social worker per school, and limits on charter school expansion.
City Response: Mayor Lightfoot declared the strike illegal under Illinois law, but negotiations continued under public pressure.
Resolution: On October 24, both sides agreed to a five-year contract including staffing increases and class size limits in early grades.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2019 strike with previous labor actions reveals key differences in duration, demands, and outcomes.

Year	Duration	Participants	Key Demand	Outcome
2012	7 days	26,000 teachers	Job security and evaluation reform	Contract with performance-based evaluations
2019	7 days	25,000+ teachers and paraprofessionals	Smaller class sizes, more support staff	Enforceable class size caps, 1 nurse per school
2016 CPS Strike (Custodians)	1 day	700 service workers	Wages and benefits	Wage increase agreement reached
2017 West Virginia Teachers’ Strike	9 days	20,000+	Health insurance premiums	1% pay raise for all state educators
2018 Los Angeles Strike	6 days	30,000+	Class size, salaries, counselors	Hiring of more counselors and caps on class size

The 2019 Chicago strike stood out for its focus on student support services rather than just salaries. Unlike 2012, when job security dominated talks, the 2019 action emphasized equitable access to nurses, social workers, and manageable class sizes—issues directly tied to student well-being.

Why It Matters

The 2019 strike reshaped the conversation around public education in major U.S. cities, setting a precedent for teacher-led advocacy focused on student needs.

Precedent for Reform: The enforceable class size limits became a model for other urban districts negotiating similar contracts.
Community Support: Over 70% of Chicago parents supported the strike, showing strong public alignment with teachers’ demands.
Policy Impact: The agreement required CPS to hire at least one full-time nurse in every school by 2023.
National Influence: The strike inspired similar actions in Denver and Oakland, where unions cited Chicago’s success.
Student Equity: By demanding more social workers, the union addressed mental health disparities in underfunded schools.
Union Power: The strike reaffirmed the CTU’s role as a national leader in progressive labor movements within education.

The 2019 Chicago Public Schools strike demonstrated that educators could successfully advocate for systemic changes beyond pay, centering student support and equity in labor negotiations.