On Thursday, February 22, teachers all across West Virginia are planning a 2-day walkout, demanding higher wages and better benefits. The group of teachers will march to the capitol building in Charleston. We are expecting thousands of teachers to join this walk-out.

“The work stoppage comes after Gov. Jim Justice signed legislation late Wednesday night granting teachers a 2% pay increase starting in July, followed by 1% pay increases over the next two years. But union officials have said that’s not a sufficient fix. Teachers are also requesting better healthcare and benefits packages,” says Sara Jorgenson.

President of the American Federation of Teachers West Virginia, Christine Campbell, stated that the raises that were suggested did not reflect on the state’s financial situation, at all.

“They say they want us to stay in West Virginia and teach our children, but the multi-year pay raise has now been reduced from 5 percent to 4 percent. I don’t believe that any of our school employees are really buying what’s being said, especially when there are personal attacks and all these things from different directions,” Campbell mentioned in a newsletter.

Cars passing by are honking their horns in order to show support for the teachers as they cross over the picket line. “The support we’re getting is truly amazing,” Lee told CNN.

The walkouts intend to support both the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.

“Teacher shortages, all these problems, are a national crisis. West Virginia educators are showing the ways to address that,” said executive vice president of the national AFT, Mary Cathryn Ricker, at the rally announcing the work action Saturday. “The courage shown here in West Virginia is inspiring others. These teachers are leading the way.”

However, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says that the planned walk-out is illegal and his office is ready to support a state agency who tries to enforce the law.

“Any such action would be consistent with my duty as attorney general to uphold the rule of law and designed so as to ensure our students have access to the education they are entitled to by our state’s constitution,” Morrisey said.
“Breaking the law does not set a good example for our children.”