West Virginia Teachers Strike
For nine days, around 277,000 students in West Virginia were out of school as 20,000 teachers protested a pay raise.
As of 2016, according to the Bureau of labor Statistics, West Virginia teachers made an average of $45,240 a year and are the 47th lowest paid teachers in all the United States, including the District of Columbia. Teachers are fighting for a 5% pay raise.
At first, the House approved a 5% raise, but the Senate passed a 4% raise. Teachers refused to return to work until a 5% raise was achieved.
The pay raise must be passed as a law because West Virginia is not a collective bargaining state.
A legislative committee was created to solve conflicts between the state Senate and the House. The committee had until Tuesday, March 6 to make a decision, though that deadline may have been stretched.
On Tuesday, March 6, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed the bill that gives all state employees a 5% pay raise. Both the House and the Senate unanimously agreed and the strike has ended. Students are now back in school as of Wednesday.
"It took a lot of pulling for everyone to get there," Justice told crowds, "But we're there.”
This victory in West Virginia is a big step for all teachers and school staff throughout the country who are fighting for fair pay.
The governor has also agreed to set up a task force to address issues with the state health insurance program. This is set for March 13, 2018.
Teacher Protests- Teachers protest at the capitol building in West Virginia. Teachers would not settle for anything less than the 5% raise, and they continue to hope for better healthcare.
