More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles walked off the job on Monday to press their demands for better pay, smaller class sizes and more educators.
The strike -- the first in 30 years -- is affecting some 500,000 students in the nation's second largest school district, with intense negotiations in past weeks failing to lead to a breakthrough.
The action is being watched closely by teaching unions across the country that are engaged in labour negotiations and also considering strikes.
"Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that's blue (Democrat) as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," Alex Caputo-Pearl, the head of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told a news conference.
"Here we are in a fight for the soul of public education," Caputo-Pearl added.
"The question is: do we starve our public neighbourhood schools so that they (become) privatised, or do we re-invest in our public neighbourhood schools for our students and for a thriving city?"
"We remain committed to resolve the contract negotiations as soon as possible," Beutner told reporters. "We urge (the union) to resume bargaining with us anytime, anywhere, 24-7. We'd like to resolve this."
Red became the signature colour of striking teachers last year after an early demonstration called on them to wear "Red4Ed."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content