05 March 2018•Update: 06 March 2018
By Safvan Allahverdi
WASHINGTON
A statewide strike by teachers and school staff in the state of West Virginia entered its eight day Monday after Senate lawmakers failed to approved a raise for the workers.
The Republican-controlled state Senate voted Saturday to reject a 5 percent raise for the workers after billionaire Governor Jim Justice said he would get the chamber to approve the increase and set up a bipartisan group to tackle the underfunded health insurance plan -- Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).
All public schools have been closed across the state, leaving about 277,000 students out of school and about 30,000 employees on the picket line as workers fight for the higher pay that currently ranks amongst the lowest in the nation and rising health care costs.
Teachers in Arizona, California, Oklahoma and New Jersey have also threatened strike action because of similar issues.
Justice, the state’s House and union leaders agreed late last week on the raise that would have ended the job action but the Senate claimed West Virginia did not have the money to pay for the raise. Instead the Senate proposed a 4 percent increase.
A legislative conference committee appointed to resolve differences between the Senate and House proposals is scheduled to meet later Monday.
"We recognize the urgency of this situation," Paul Espinosa, chair of the House Education Committee and co-chair of the conference committee said of the stalemate.
The striking teachers are finding support from diverse corners, including from students who have joined strikers on the picket lines, and from national politicians.
"100 years ago West Virginia coal miners helped lead the struggle for fair wages and dignity on the job. Today, the teachers of West Virginia are carrying on that brave tradition," Vermont Senator Bernie and former presidential candidate said in a tweet. "I stand with them in their fight for justice and dignity."
The average annual salary for a teacher in West Virginia is approximately $45,000. By comparison, teachers in New York state average about $75,000 per year.
