Teachers were supposed to return to class Thursday after a “cooling off” day but instead assembled again chanting and holding signs proclaiming “55 strong”.
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Carmichael has previously expressed his skepticism over the governor’s revised revenue estimates of $58 million, saying he believes the numbers should be reviewed and not rushed through.
State Senator Mitch Carmichael told CNN he was anxious the state didn’t have the funds to fulfill the 5 percent pay increase.
After the mistake was discovered, the Senate went back into chambers to figure out how to reverse the situation, and at first it was unclear if there were enough votes to do so, and if the parliamentary regulations would allow it.
Sen. Craig Blair, a Martinsburg Republican, announced on the floor Thursday afternoon that the Finance Committee he chairs would meet Friday to consider budget legislation for the coming fiscal year and other bills.
The bill has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee for review.
Despite a steady rain, public employees were back to rallying with extended hours along Route 20 across from Buckhannon Crossroads and in front of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church before coming together at the Upshur County Courthouse later in the evening. “To me that just smacks of irresponsibility”.
“It would lead to increased production, increased severance and property tax revenues, increased royalty payments to mineral owners and increased employment”, said Charlie Burd, executive director of IOGAWV. The proposed pay hike passed West Virginia’s House of Delegates, but the Senate remains an unanswered question.
“What do we want? Our teachers really feel underappreciated”, said Doug Lambert, Grant County superintendent.
Senate leaders say if there is extra money, it should go to fund PEIA, not more teacher raises. That is 1 percentage point less than the 5 per cent negotiated by Gov. Jim Justice with union leaders to end a strike that has shuttered classrooms statewide for seven days. This is a crisis, it needs to be addressed.
The state Senate thought it had approved a bill for 4% raises.
Justice refused to talk to reporters after his meeting with superintendents.
The Times cited the Supreme Court case of Janus vs. AFSCME, concerning laws in some states that require public sector workers who do not belong to unions to pay the equivalent of dues. “I want better for our kids”. “It let’s me know there are people who care”. He called the unions next.
“It is my duty to see the committee has before them the information to make the right decision…”, he said.
“We are right back where we started”, she said. “And I would’ve said, that’s my job”, he said. In an editorial, “West Virginia Teachers Give a Lesson in Union Power”, the Times ignored the strikebreaking role of the unions and tried to portray the strike, which has erupted against the unions, as a battle led by them. In the Senate plan, the revenue surplus the governor identified would be dedicated to insurance costs and would benefit all public employees and retirees, he said.
Wager said at Tuesday’s board of education meeting that no guidance had been given yet on how days should be made up, but he hoped to have an answer by the next board meeting on March 12.
Beyond the Capitol, the strain is mounting for some families. “And by doing so, it is not trying to help promote any other industries, such as the education industry”, Ariet said.
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Teachers have gone on strike anyway. “They deserve to get what they’re asking for”.
