10.2190/XE75-RKBY-BMDJ-PR3V XE75RKBYBMDJPR3V 0 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NO STRIKE LAWS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=XE75RKBYBMDJPR3V 2 ALAN BALFOUR AND ALEXANDER B. HOLMES In most states it is illegal for teachers to strike, yet strikes occur. This article measures the relationship between the severity of punishment for striking and the amount of strike deterrence that occurs. Findings demonstrate that there is a curvilinear relationship between severity of sanctions and strike deterrence, that is, that both mild penalties and harsh penalties provide less deterrence than moderate penalties. The optimal penalty for avoiding strikes was found to be the forfeiture of two days pay for each day on strike.