Arizona teachers took inspiration from the successful teachers' strike in West Virginia at the end of February.
Teachers in a grassroots organization mobilizing for better pay announced their demands in a huge rally at the Capitol on Wednesday evening, March 28. The leaders of Arizona Educators United asked the Legislature for a 20 percent pay raise, renewed investment in education to make up for funding that was cut following the 2008 recession, and no new tax cuts until Arizona education funding matches the national average. At the rally, teachers spoke of a crisis in education that has forced teachers to work multiple jobs. Arizona Educators United leaders said that until the demands are met, they will continue to escalate their actions. Although they don't want to strike, teachers said that if they have to, they will.