Thousands of students in Detroit’s public schools stayed home on Monday after a planned teacher “sick-out” protest forced more than 50 schools to close.
The teachers are protesting poor working conditions, led by former Detroit Federation of Teachers president Steven Conn, the Detroit Free Press reports. The sick-outs had previously shuttered at least five schools on different days last week, WXYZ Detroit reports.
Ivy Bailey, interim president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, told WXYZ the union has not officially sanctioned the sick-outs. But, she added, “I want everyone to understand the frustration” of the teachers who are walking out.
The school system’s emergency manager, Darnell Earley, said in a statement that the sick-outs will make it more difficult for the Detroit’s public schools to get the support they need from Michigan’s legislature.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Lauren French at laurenfrench651@gmail.com