A few weeks ago, the Chicago Teachers Union filed a formal notice of intent to strike. Negotiations are going nowhere, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently criticized the union’s lack of urgency to reach a compromise. The union’s demands mirror those from their 19-day strike in 2012: They seek higher pay, smaller class sizes, and more support staff. But are unions funneling their frustration in the right direction?

A new report by Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Daniel DiSalvo argues that teachers strikes, while sometimes justified, continue to happen for the wrong reasons. Though teachers and public education advocates blame low or constant levels of education spending for their woes, in reality districts are strapped for resources due to public benefit obligations such as pensions.