West Virginia teacher strike ends, some schools to reopen Wednesday

John Bacon | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption West Virginia teachers cheer after deal is signed West Virginia lawmakers unanimously approved a 5% pay raises for teachers after the governor reached a deal, ending a teacher walkout that lasted 9 days.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed legislation Tuesday authorizing a contract agreement with the state's 20,000 teachers that will return 275,000 public school students to class as early as Wednesday.

"Today is a new day in education, no more looking back," Justice said at a signing ceremony for the deal, which includes a 5% pay raise and ends the nine-day strike.

The contract also covers more than 10,000 support staff. Justice said money will be found elsewhere in the budget to allow the state to provide a 5% pay hike to all state employees. Some of those pay increases, however, must wait for passage of a budget bill.

"I’m an educator. I believe in your purpose," Justice told hundreds of roaring teachers and supporters gathered earlier at the Capitol in Charleston. "I believe in you, and I love our kids."

The House of Delegates and the Senate approved the deal a short time later, sending it to Justice for his signature.

West Virginia teachers demand pay raise The statewide strike has kept public schools shut for 277,000 students and 35,000 employees for over a week. (March 5)

"It was a very positive, emotional celebration for teachers at the Capitol," said Jennifer Wood, spokeswoman for the state American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

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More: No end in sight for strike of 20,000 West Virginia teachers

Carrena Rouse, who has taught at Scott High School in Madison for 28 years, was among the celebrating teachers. Her district was among those immediately announcing their schools would open Wednesday.

"I love my students. I love my fellow teachers," Rouse said. "And I'm glad we don't have to be hanging around here (the Capitol) anymore."

West Virginia teachers are among the lowest paid in the nation and went years without a raise. Randi Weingarten, AFT national president, said the state's teachers had been saddled with shrinking salaries because of fast-rising health care costs.

"The unwritten story here is that when you strip people’s voice for so long and you take so much from them, there is a point at which people will stand up," Weingarten told USA TODAY. "And that is the story of what happened in West Virginia.”

Massive rallies have taken place at the Capitol almost daily, and it had to close Monday after thousands packed the building.

Justice had announced a similar deal a week ago, and union leaders accepted the proposal. But rank-and-file teachers balked at returning to schools until the pay hike won legislative approval. The House immediately passed the plan, but the state Senate pressed for a 4% pay hike and the strike dragged on.

Senate leaders, however, announced support for the latest plan Tuesday, promising to find money in the budget to fund all the pay hikes.

Many districts planned to reopen schools Wednesday. But Wood said it was not immediately clear if all schools could open that fast, citing logistical issues such as stocking kitchens with food for school lunches. Those details were being worked out, she said.

"These are some of the best kids you will ever see in your life," Rouse said of her students. "I'm just so excited."

Contributing: Greg Toppo