Teachers Unions Win Climate Battles Through Contract Negotiations

Teacher unions across the United States are discovering a powerful new strategy to combat climate change: embedding environmental demands directly into their contract negotiations with school districts. From solar panels in Chicago to electric buses in Los Angeles, educators are leveraging collective bargaining to drive green initiatives that benefit both students and communities.

The approach addresses a practical reality—many school buildings are decades old, plagued with health hazards like lead paint, asbestos, and poor air quality that require expensive repairs anyway. “By our estimate, the district needs $30 billion worth of upgrades,” explains Jackson Potter, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, whose recent contract secured commitments for solar installations, air quality monitoring, and clean energy job training for students. Rather than viewing climate action as an additional cost, unions are framing it as smart economics: if you’re replacing a roof, why not add solar panels?

This “collective good bargaining” strategy is gaining momentum as federal climate support diminishes, making local action more critical. The Minneapolis Federation of Educators won free metro passes for students and environmental task forces, while Los Angeles teachers secured electric vehicle charging stations at schools. However, the approach faces challenges—some union members worry that focusing on global issues might overshadow core concerns like wages and working conditions.

Research supports the urgency of these efforts. A new study found that students’ math scores decline significantly when classroom temperatures exceed 80 degrees, with high-poverty schools—which often lack adequate air conditioning—seeing the steepest drops. As extreme weather events become more frequent, these union-driven climate initiatives represent a grassroots solution that simultaneously addresses environmental justice, student health, and educational equity.