By Patrick Villanova | The Jersey Journal

Jersey City's public school teachers went on strike today for the first time in two decades, signaling an escalation in the contract dispute between the school district and teachers' union.

The Jersey City Education Association, which represents 4,000 teachers, secretaries, nurses, guidance counselors and other employees, is demanding lower health care costs for its members, who have worked under an expired contract since Sept. 1.

The union says Chapter 78, a 2011 state law that revamped how public employees pay for their health benefits, has resulted in deep cuts to their take-home pay.

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

Hundreds of JCEA members protested outside city schools today, the first day of the work stoppage. At noon, they converged on the Jersey City Board of Education offices on Claremont Avenue for a massive demonstration replete with chants, whistles, and of course, signs.

Some of the demonstrators clearly put some thought -- and effort -- into their signs, catching the eye of our photographer, Reena Rose Sibayan.

Here is the best of the bunch:

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

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More coverage

Fulop defends hands-off approach on teacher strike

Students join picket line in Jersey City teacher strike

Parents mixed on Jersey City teachers' strike

More photos

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Patrick Villanova may be reached at pvillanova@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @pvilla_nova. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.