West Virginia Senate doesn't vote on teacher pay raise

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Facing pressure from striking, chanting teachers who filled the Capitol again Thursday, West Virginia's Senate majority refused to take up their pay raise legislation, angering protesters and causing schools across the state to stay closed Friday.

West Virginia Education Association union locals upset by the Senate and its leader's comments were staying out of work, union spokeswoman Kym Randolph said.

By Thursday evening, the Department of Education said public schools in all 55 counties would remain shuttered for a seventh day.

The statewide strike over low pay and rising insurance costs had been expected to end Thursday under a deal negotiated between Gov. Jim Justice and union leaders. It included 5 percent raises and a task force appointed to find a long-term state funding source to offset public workers' rising health care costs.


Source : Yahoo