Teacher Salaries Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

House Passes Salary Increases on the Brink of a Possible Teacher Strike

The West Virginia House of Delegates tacked on nearly another hour of debate Tuesday before passing a salary increase for teachers, school service personnel and state troopers. The passage of the bill comes as two of the state’s teacher unions have threatened to strike amid growing frustrations over salaries, problems with the state’s insurance provider and teacher vacancies.

Senate Bill 267 calls for a 2-percent salary increase for teachers this year, with an additional 1-percent raise in each of the three following years — a 5-percent raise overall. School service personnel and state troopers would get a 2-percent increase this year, with an additional 1-percent increase in Fiscal Year 2020.

While Republicans argued that fiscal responsibility is key, many Democrats begrudgingly stood in support of the bill, saying it shows a lack of priorities on behalf of the Republican majority. Del. Riley Moore, a Republican, addressed those remarks.

“For me, I think we both want to raise public employees pay and want to raise teachers pay. The idea that one side doesn’t and the other does, I think, is misleading in its narrative and disingenuous,” Moore said.

Del. Marshall Wilson, also a Republican, said any additional hikes would cause higher taxes and, inevitably, put the burden back on teachers and other public employees.

“This is a great opportunity to demonstrate our support our appreciation for both classes of people and, interestingly enough, our employees are also our employers as taxpayers,” Wilson said. “So, in doing this in a responsible and fiscally responsible and thoughtful way, what we’re actually doing is we’re providing them with that pay increase without then turning around and taking more taxes away from them.”

Del. Jeff Campbell, a Democrat and a teacher himself, pushed back on the conservative approach to raising salaries. Like many other Democrats, he agreed to vote for the bill, but said it’s not enough.

“We’ve heard things like ‘living within your means’ and ‘fiscal responsibility.’ West Virginia’s public employees don’t need lectures on fiscal responsibility, when many live paycheck-to-paycheck,” Campbell said.

Amid growing talks of a possible teacher strike, Del. Mike Caputo expressed concerns that the bill will not satisfy the demands of unions, who just this weekend were authorized by their members to call for a work action.

“I predict that we’re going to have thousands of screaming state employees filling these halls before we leave town. And I predict that we’re going to have to revisit this, because they are not happy, and rightfully so. I believe we’ve neglected their service for too long in the state of West Virginia,” Caputo said.

Del. Shawn Fluharty argued that the bill sends a message to teachers that the Legislature gives priority to business special interests rather than the people of the state.

“What we do here is say to the public, ‘Just trust us. Just trust us, guys. We’ll get it later.’ They’re tired of that. I think I speak for every public employee when I say we can’t be trusted! We can’t be trusted to do the right thing,” Fluharty said. “What we can be trusted to do is follow the strings that are attached to our backs by the corporate sector. That control us — control our votes — control our agenda, Mr. Speaker.”

In closing debate, House Finance Chair Eric Nelson acknowledged that he wished the raises could be more, but said the current version of the bill is the most responsible way forward. He also noted that the Senate’s version of the measure called for a 1-percent salary hike for teachers each year for five years.

“We finally have some positive prospects. And look at the first thing that we’re doing: putting something positive forward. This is a positive step. This is a top priority,” Nelson said. “We’ve stepped up and are putting a plan in place. That is significantly better than what the governor proposed and has improved over what the Senate proposed.”

With changes made in the House, the bill heads back to the Senate for concurrence. The bill passed on a 98-1 vote, with Del. Fluharty being the lone nay vote.

Teachers Rally for Pay Raises, PEIA Fixes as Senate Passes One Percent Salary Increase

Hundreds of West Virginia teachers and school service personnel braved below freezing temperatures and rallied Friday at the state Capitol for better pay and benefits. While organized work stoppages came from those in Mingo, Logan and Wyoming counties, teachers from elsewhere around the state made their way to the the rotunda in Charleston.

The rally came as lawmakers considered Senate Bill 267, which calls for a one percent salary increase. Representatives of teachers unions say teacher pay is just one element fueling growing frustrations. Concerns over PEIA premium and deductible increases, as well as other currently proposed requirements of the insurance provider have also stoked the flames.

More from the West Wing walkway where Capitol and State Police have escorted @wvsenate members to the chamber. They’ll vote of SB 267 today. pic.twitter.com/Ar3PP7AuKI — Dave Mistich (@davemistich) February 2, 2018

After an amendment offered by Democrats calling for a three percent increase failed Thursday, Senate Bill 267 was put up for a vote. Many Democrats spoke on the floor stating that they would vote for the bill, acknowledging they wished the raise was higher than one percent.

“I’m going to support this bill. For that 1 percent. I don’t support the 1 percent by any means but I do support us giving something to them and keeping this bill moving forward,” Sen. Bob Beach said.

“But it’s unfortunate that we’re at a position in our state’s history right now with teachers service personnel and public employees and state troopers that these folks have to break away from the classroom to come down here. To get their message across,” he added.

Republicans argued that, given the current economic circumstances, one percent was all that could be done. Sen. Mike Azinger called for the repeal of the state business inventory tax, which he argues would help jumpstart the economy and could bring bigger raises in the future.

“We’ve got to start coming up with ideas in West Virginia that are going to start improving our economy and cutting taxes — and getting rid of the punitive taxes is one of the ways to do it,” Azinger said. “We have to cut taxes and cut regulations and we’ve got to do it now so that we can help close teachers in the audience. We’ve got to get serious about it. And today’s a good start.”

The bill ultimately passed the Senate on a 33-0 vote and now heads to the House of Delegates. Following the vote, close to a thousand teachers, school service personnel and other public employees carried on with their presence outside the Senate chamber with chants of one percent being not enough, PEIA needing fixed and continued threats of a strike.

SB 267 passes on a 33-0 vote. Chants of “We will Strike!” and “We vote, too!” Crowd is also booing when the @wvsenate doors open. pic.twitter.com/Izhsx0TUxa — Dave Mistich (@davemistich) February 2, 2018

Across the rotunda in the House of Delegates, teachers pay and PEIA remained the topic of highly charged remarks.

Although he did not feel the bill was adequate in addressing teacher concerns, Del. Issac Sponaugle motioned to discharge that chamber’s version of the teacher pay increase — House Bill 4145 — to the floor. That motion was tabled. However, that didn’t stop discussion on the frustrations of public employees.

“I’m not happy. In 22 years, I’ve never seen such chaos in the House of Delegates. We are in crisis stage, ladies and gentlemen. The people of West Virginia want us to act and quit talking about turkey breasts,” said Del. Mike Caputo, referencing another discussion that was had on the House floor.

“I’ve never seen such chaos work coming apart at the seams. It is a shame. The public is out there watching this crap go on across West Virginia and we’re talking about nine million issues that don’t affect the livelihoods of the people we should be protecting. It’s time to act. It’s time to act,” he added.

Sponaugle’s motion would have allowed the bill to be taken up Friday. Republican Del. Michael Folk argued that the bill was not in good enough shape to go to a vote and acknowledged other concerns from public employees.

“The bill we took up today would have left nothing for school personnel, for corrections officers, for state police for state employees. And probably bigger than anything is the elephant in the room that everybody’s been talking about is PEIA, I don’t know about about you all, but the people I talk to the teachers, the state employees — that’s a bigger concern than having a huge pay raise,” Folk said.

Leaders of the state’s teachers union say the passage of Senate Bill 267 is encouraging, even if the one percent raise included in the bill isn’t as much as they wanted.

“I think having that bill passed today actually gives it some more momentum to go. I think it had to pass at one percent,” said American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia president Christine Campbell. “But we’ll see what the House those whether they look to increase that. I think people are not going to be okay when the pay raise that’s being proposed and passed so far is going to outweigh the increases in their insurance.”

West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee echoed Campbell’s thoughts.

“You have to remember, it’s early in the session — so, the vehicle is moving now. And there could be a whole lot of amendments made to it — and the House can do with it what they choose and we’re hoping to make strides in the House,” Lee said.

Governor Jim Justice canceled a Friday news conference that had been scheduled to address issues in public education. Teachers unions are planning a day of action at the state capitol on Saturday, February 17.

Amid Talks of Teacher Strikes, Senate Downs Amendment Calling for Bigger Pay Increase

Over the course of the week, teacher rallies have sprung up around the state, as the West Virginia Education Association and the state chapter of the American Federation for Teachers continue discussions with members about possible strikes or walkouts. While increases to PEIA premiums and deductibles are some elements feeding those talks, teacher pay has been another flash point.

At least part of that teacher frustration has come into focus with Senate Bill 267, which would increase pay for teachers, school service personnel and state police. With the bill on Second Reading on the Senate floor Thursday, an amendment offered by Minority Leader Roman Prezioso called for a three percent raise this year instead of one percent proposed in the original version of the bill.

“When we look at what the one percent that the governor has proposed over five years — let’s take one percent a year. When you break it down, teachers take home pay is, what, [an additional] $34 a month? You can’t hardly see that in a pay stub. But yet their PEIA premiums have gone up approximately $48 a month. That doesn’t wash up,” said Prezioso, noting that deductibles are also on the rise.

While Senate Bill 267 focuses on increases in pay, discussion on the Prezioso’s amendment to the measure turned toward rising PEIA costs for teachers and other state employees. Democrats like Sen. Richard Ojeda, a former educator, said that’s one of the things most discussed by educators.

“The majority of our teachers in our classrooms have a masters plus 45 [credits]. And we pay them absolutely nothing. Now, as a person who spent four years in a classroom, every day during lunch I sit down with teachers and the discussion was always the same thing about how PEIA — and I know we’re not talking PEIA — but that was something that ripped the apart of their benefit and it cost them more money in their pockets,” Ojeda said.

Republicans, though, argued that the problems surrounding teacher pay have been a long time coming, with West Virginia’s average teacher salary slipping downward nationally over the past few decades.

Sen. Patricia Rucker, another former educator, said lawmakers have other obligations in front of them this session and they cannot fund additional pay increases at the moment.

“This is a state that is struggling from lack of professionals. And we are trying to fix a problem that wasn’t created in one day or one year. And the solution is not just money,” said Rucker. “I wish that we could just pay teachers right now the amount that I would consider worthwhile, which is an even larger amount than what [Senator Prezioso] has proposed with this amendment. But, the fact remains that we have to balance the needs of all of our constituents and all of our citizens.”

Others, like Judiciary Chair Charlie Trump argued that Prezioso’s amendment comes down to some sort of funding mechanism — one that he said hasn’t yet found its way in front of the Senate.

“While I have to oppose the Senator’s amendment right now — what I will say here in his presence and in the presence of every West Virginian is — if we bring to this floor a budget that will cut the Medicaid budget by 20 million dollars, I would be delighted to spend that on teacher pay and will vote to do so,” Trump said. “But, right now, with no mechanism evident or agreed upon to fund the additional money that would be provided by this amendment, I have to vote no.”

Prezioso’s amendment calling for a three percent pay increase failed 22-12 on a party line vote, which further throws into question what might happen with the possibility of a teachers strike. American Federation of Teachers – West Virginia president Christine Campbell said the amendment’s failure isn’t necessarily an instant catalyst for a strike, but that it’s one part of a multi-faceted set of concerns from teachers.

“People are frustrated and they’re happy that the discussions are happening. But these things take time and I don’t know that these folks can wait,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that some groups are not waiting any longer and that frustration has turned into action.

“I know that counties have scheduled meetings. Some counties are actually having second meetings and that they are continuing to meet. They already have meetings scheduled up into mid February,” said Campbell, also noting a February 17th day of action that has been scheduled in Charleston.

Moving forward, Senate President Mitch Carmichael said he hopes teachers realize that lawmakers are aiming to fund PEIA with another $10 million this year. As for talks of a strike, Carmichael said teachers should hold off and trust the Legislature is working to address concerns, including teacher pay — even if the proposed one percent hike doesn’t seem like a lot.

“I agree it’s not enough. But, it’s all that we have right now. As we get more money, we are committed to to raising teacher salaries and making sure that they are compensated at a level that’s commensurate with their peers across the nation,” Carmichael said.

Senate Bill 267 was advanced to Third Reading and is up for a vote in the Senate Friday.