West Virginia Teacher Strike

[Benton]

(03-01-2018, 11:51 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: The Governor and the state House has passed a raise, but the teachers aren't so certain about the Senate doing their part. Because of this, the walkout has continued into its sixth day.

https://apnews.com/26645f0b65fa4382a86048b290f32292/Despite-proposed-raise-W.-Virginia-teacher-walkout-not-over

Kind of surprised no one has brought this up. Though to be fair, I expect some of the same commentary from the same folks on the topic. But being as most of us live in neighboring states I figured I'd bring it in.

http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article202620409.html

It's rough for teachers all over. In Kentucky, lawmakers are looking to slash existing pensions, move current teachers to a less protected 401(k) style and increasing benefit costs. Lawmakers had a little support initially since they included reforms that prevented themselves (and reversed previous instances) from grossly inflating their own retirements. 

http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article201429159.html

Quote:That enabled some lawmakers, such as former Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, to collect annual pensions larger than the sums they ever made as lawmakers. Moberly, who received a six-figure salary as executive vice president of Eastern Kentucky University, now collects an annual legislative pension benefit of $154,912.

Probably not a big surprise, but they've taken out the parts that would've restricted their abuse. And this is in Kentucky, where teachers salaries for nearly a decade in some districts have been virtually flat (around a 2% annual raise), while lawmakers and their staffs keep seeing salaries increase, sometimes by as much as 50%.

Low pay, no help from parents, lawmakers blaming them for every issue and then stealing their money. I'm amazed we haven't had walkouts here.