Marion County teachers protest against pay, insurance premiums
Their plan is to show the people what
And for some of these workers, the fact that this is the second time they're seeing this has them at a loss for words.
"The similarities are we still aren't getting support from
Of the problems with
"We made strides in 1990, and by 2018 everything we had gained is gone," said
These issues point to a bigger problem in the stigma of public schooling, that the teachers find to be negatively affecting the students they are educating.
"I'm more sad than mad," Pirner said. "It really shows that the legislature isn't taking the future of our state seriously, and that's what scares me."
While the teachers have lost faith in the legislature's stance on the issue, the community has shown that it, too, sympathizes with the plight of the teachers and public workers, according to Pirner.
"We had parents drop off food all morning," she said.
The protestors had boxes of food and drinks lined up underneath tents outside the school, much of it coming from parents, they said.
"People know what we do for our children and want to support us," said
As car horns honked and drivers waved, the educators informed that they wouldn't be going anywhere soon.
"We'll be here as long as it takes," said
Teachers and service personnel from
Even a kindergarten student from
"He was so excited to get out and hold that sign," Bethany said.
With the goal of raising awareness of the importance of funding PEIA and a salary increase, Cochran said the plan for today is to participate in the county-wide rally from
"All of
While the workers were ready to plant themselves in for the day, they had the support of
"We're hoping that the legislature hears what they're saying and we don't have to keep the stoppage for too long," Price said.
AFT-WV staff representative
"Everybody's fired up and they expect PEIA and to have a fair pay raise," Caputo said. "If he (
Marion County AFT-WV vice president
"I think they (legislation) will decide by tomorrow afternoon," Strawderman said. "After talking to our legislators from our area here today, they think we ought to keep the pressure on. They heard comments today from others who think that we are going to go away, I think they are wrong. We are going to keep it up just after what I saw today."
Strawderman said that she heard about the community support in
"I know that a lot of our businesses has been supporting our teachers," Strawderman said. "It's so heartwarming to see the community's support. There's a lot of support across the state. That's going to make a difference."
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