West Virginia leaders reach deal to end teachers strike

[Atman]

Source: ABC News

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Senate Republicans reached a tentative deal on Tuesday to end a nine-day statewide teachers' strike by giving them 5 percent raises — and adding similar raises for all state workers while they're at it.

Justice said additional budget cuts by his staff will fund the raises. Senate leaders confirmed the deal, saying it involves some reduced government.

"We have reached a deal. I stood rock solid on the 5% Teacher pay raise and delivered. Not only this, but my staff and I made additional cuts which will give all State employees 5% as well. All the focus should have always been on fairness and getting the kids back in school," the governor said in a tweet.

The governor, union leaders and the House of Delegates had agreed last week to the 5 percent pay raise for teachers, who are among the lowest paid in the nation and haven't had a salary increase in four years. But the Senate refused to go along, approving a 4 percent increase.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/west-virginia-legislators-eye-measures-end-teacher-strike-53543281

[DownriverDem]

1. About reduced government

Michigan has been on the reduced government repub path for some time now. We have the worst roads and bridges in the country. Our parents and grandparents built the infrastructure, but repubs have let it all go to hell. I sure hope we are at a tipping point.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Glad the Republicans finally came to their senses.

All it takes (Ha!) is a complete refusal to back down from their demands.

UNEQUIVOCAL STRENGTH.

[Fresh_Start]

3. Make sure that government workers know they got the raise because a union

fought for raises for its members.

[Sparko55]

4. Had to settle - looked like a general strike was mounting

LOL

Republithugs had to settle, and soon, as CWA workers from Frontier Communications were adding their voices by striking, and guv was afraid his state could tip into a general strike - on Republithug watch.

The real fear is other state workers and teachers and public employees will follow suit in surrounding states and across the country. Last time they saw such energy was Wisconsin in 2011, and the Koch's and company did everything they could to help Scotty turn a once fine state into Walkeristan. All that's left are budget cheats, failing infrastructure, and gerrymandered voting districts.

WAKE UP AMERICA - YOU'VE BEEN CONNED for 30+ years since the Ronald was president. And the sorry part was that union members voted against their own best interest - just look at Wisconsin where 38% of union households voted for Walker. Ask the right to work converts if that was a good move for them when they went from high $20's / hour to $12 - $14 in the space of two years. As their paramour Sarah would say in 2008 - "How's that workin' for ya."

[radical noodle]

5. Welcome to DU!

[Hortensis]

6. Yes, fabulous job, WV teachers! What you describe

as possible is amazing, as is what was achieved at this point. What has happened in WV must be sending chills and shivers through 33 Republican state governments.

I'm so proud of WV teachers for standing strong for others also and achieving a 5% pay raise for all government employees.



Speaking of the Koch types and that giant sucking sound, WV is going to need to get the money from somewhere to pay for this. Turning off that giant vacuum would seem a good start, but no doubt will be a much a harder job.

Welcome to DU, Sparko55.