Legislators unanimously back 5% pay increase after nine-day school closure in state whose teachers are among country’s lowest paid

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

West Virginia lawmakers unanimously approved 5% pay raises for teachers and troopers on Tuesday, after the state’s governor reached a deal to end a teacher walkout that shut the state’s schools for nine days.

A huge group of teachers crowding the capitol’s hallways cheered their victory.

With striking teachers looking on, the house of delegates passed the pay raise for teachers, school service personnel and state troopers on a 99-0 vote, and the senate followed, voting 34-0.

“I believe in you and I love our kids,” the governor, Jim Justice, said.

The governor, union leaders and the house had agreed to the raise for those groups last week. State teachers are among the lowest paid in the country and haven’t had a salary increase in four years.

But the senate refused to go along, approving a 4% increase Saturday. The six-member conference committee then agreed to the 5% figure Tuesday, and for more than just teachers.

The senate finance chairman, Craig Blair, said that, to pay for the raises, lawmakers would seek to cut state spending by $20m, taking funds from general government services and Medicaid. Other state workers who also would get 5% raises under the deal will have to wait for a budget bill to pass.

“The winners in this are the students of West Virginia and the educators across West Virginia who finally see a true investment in education,” the West Virginia Education Association president, Dale Lee, said.

A union spokeswoman, Kym Randolph, said before the votes that teachers could return to work on Wednesday if lawmakers acted quickly.

The teachers' strike in West Virginia represents rare hope in dark times | Ross Barkan Read more

The senate majority leader, the Republican Ryan Ferns, said talks with the governor’s office lasted into early Tuesday identifying cuts everyone could agree to.

“These are deep cuts,” Blair said. “This has been the fiscally responsible thing to do, in my opinion, to get us to the point we’re at today.”

Justice said additional budget cuts by his staff would fund the raises. Blair said that if the governor’s estimates of increased revenue come to fruition, supplemental appropriations could take place.

“This is very positive,” said Tina Workman, a second-grade teacher. “We are surprised, but we aren’t putting all of our eggs from the chickens in one basket. We want it signed, sealed and delivered. Because seven days ago we were told the same thing, and we’re still here.”

A show of support by thousands of teachers and supporters on Monday did not sway lawmakers in time to avoid a ninth day of cancelled classes for the school system’s 277,000 students and 35,000 employees.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Teachers celebrate after the announcement of a tentative deal. Photograph: Robert Ray/AP

The capitol was briefly closed on Monday after 5,000 people entered the building. It was reopened an hour later, and teachers vented their frustration over the lack of progress. Their strike, in one of the poorest states in the country, has disrupted lives across the state, forcing working parents to scramble for childcare and putting children who rely on meals at school at risk of going hungry.

With 17.9% of West Virginians living below official poverty levels, teachers, bus drivers and other volunteers are collecting food for students who rely on free breakfasts and lunches. Teachers also are sharing stories of donating their time, money or food.

At least two GoFundMe pages have been launched in support of the walkout.“It does make you feel good because we are helping them,” said Ann Osburn, a special education teacher. “I think we’re reaching as many as we can.”

The teacher walkout over pay and benefits began on 22 February after the governor signed a 2% pay raise for next year. He reconsidered after an initial round of protests, and the house of delegates later approved a 5% increase. The senate’s insistence on a 4% raise Saturday prompted the union to extend the strike.

