West Virginia lawmakers reach deal to give striking teachers pay raise

[eleny]

CNN
Charleston, West Virginia (CNN)West Virginia lawmakers reached a deal Tuesday that gives a 5% pay raise to all state employees, including striking teachers and school staff.
The deal is intended to end a teachers' strike that has canceled nine consecutive school days across the state. Teachers' union representative Christine Campbell told CNN she anticipates school will back in session Wednesday if the bill is passes.
Both the House of Delegates and Senate unanimously approved the bill later Tuesday, and it is expected to be signed by Gov. Jim Justice.

"It took a lot of pulling for everyone to get there," Justice told crowds of cheering educators at the state Capitol in Charleston. "But we're there."
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/06/us/west-virginia-teachers-strike/index.html

[Drahthaardogs]

1. You have to punch the bullies in the face

It's all they understand. Good job teacher.

[Ohiogal]

2. I am happy for all the state employees in WVa

But can't they find another place to draw funding from besides cutting Medicaid?

[appalachiablue]

6. Originally there was talk of funding from a Tax on the fossil fuel industry,

but that got nixed of course. And corporations already received their tax cuts, so nope.

In the article Repub. state senator Craig Blair says the funds for the pay increase will not come from tax increases but $20 Mill reduction in spending from cuts to the general budget and Medicaid. In contrast, Gov. Justice says the pay raise funds will not come from Medicare or Medicaid, and will be determined by future budget negotiations. Who knows the truth? It'll come out next year or sooner.

Teachers might take the hit for losses to vulnerable Medicare recipients according to some in the state education system which is awful. If true, just rotten. Hope that's not the case. Robbing Peter to Pay Paul.

[whathehell]

3. Excellent news!

America needs its unions back.

[sl8]

4. Ooh, that really chaps my hide.

The average-looking teachers deserve a raise, too.

[eleny]

5. !