West Virginia teachers to strike Tuesday: 'We are left with no other choice'
West Virginia teachers' unions announced they will go on strike Tuesday, almost one year after a statewide walkout and in response to a bill they say is retaliatory.
Union leaders at a news conference late Monday cited frustration with Republican leaders’ deliberations over proposed education legislation.
“We are left with no other choice,” said Fred Albert, president of the American Federation of Teachers’ West Virginia chapter.
The state's teachers and school service personnel went on 13-day strike that began a year ago Friday, protesting their pay and insurance plan. The walkout inspired teacher demonstrations around the country, from Oklahoma and Arizona last year to Los Angeles and Denver this year. And the strikes are continuing: Teachers in Oakland, California, plan to walk out on Thursday.
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More: West Virginia teacher strike ends, some schools to reopen Wednesday
Striking teachers in West Virginia last year won a 5 percent pay raise – an average of about $2,000 per teacher. Katie Endicott, an English teacher at Mingo Central Comprehensive High School, told USA TODAY it's disappointing that the situation has come to this so soon after.
"It's really disheartening to see the process play out and to see that people are using public education as a form of retaliation," Endicott said. "But, at the same time, we're really resolved in the fight and we're not going to back down. We're not going to quit because we know that the future of public education is at stake."
Discussions about the education legislation reached a tipping point Monday, Endicott said, as compromise seemed impossible. The legislation, said fellow Mingo Central English teacher Robin Ellis, includes public funding for charter schools attached to an additional teacher raise. One bill version also leaves out an amendment prohibiting lawmakers from profiting from charter schools, Ellis said.
Mingo County teachers voted to go on a one-day strike two weeks ago, Ellis said, and planned to walk out Tuesday. Following the Senate's "shenanigans," Ellis said teachers in 53 of the state's other 54 counties will join them.
"We anticipated this and we were ready for it," Ellis said. "And we're ready to take a stand."
Only Putnam County schools will remain open Tuesday, according to a local television report.
The Senate's version of the bill would allow for up to seven charter schools statewide and provide for up to 1,000 education savings accounts for parents to pay for private school. The House passed its version of the bill last week.
Union leaders said they will consider the situation day by day when it comes to the length of the strike.
County superintendents will communicate alternative schedule plans with parents, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine said in a statement.
“I regret that circumstances have led to the announcement of work stoppages in many counties throughout the state," Paine said. "I am working diligently with all parties to advocate for a prompt resolution. Though this is an uncertain and emotional time, we cannot forget that the best interest of students must be our top priority."
Contributing: Chrissie Thompson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: West Virginia teachers to strike Tuesday: 'We are left with no other choice'
