Teachers in West Virginia
have voted by overwhelming margins to go on strike Thursday—and to stay out.
They have not had a
pay raise since 2014. Since that time, their health insurance premiums have soared
as the state has refused to pay for these increases.
West Virginia has no
collective bargaining law for teachers. They are voluntary members of two
teachers unions. Those organizations lobby for pay raises.
All of this means
that teachers could be ordered by a judge to return to work—and if they violate the order, face jail time.
This scenario unfolded
in Chicago during an illegal fire fighters strike in 1980 (photo below). Anywhere
from 50% to 87% of fire fighters walked off the job.
In West Virginia, unions
essentially lobby lawmakers to pass legislation improving pay and benefits,
rather than bargain directly on behalf of members. The lack of a labor law means there is no mechanism for bargaining, and strike-avoidance measures such as mediation or arbitration. Labor disputes come down to street-level protests and action/inaction by the statehouse.
Teachers might lose
the strike. Districts already allow non-certified instructors to teach in public
classrooms.
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