The West Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed a bill declaring strikes by teachers and other public employees illegal.
In a 21-12 voice, the Senate a account which states “Public employees in West Virginia have no right, lawful or otherwise, to engage in collective bargaining, mediation or arbitration, and any strike or strike by public employees is hereby declared illegal.”
The bill comes after teachers in West Virginia went on strike for nine days in 2018 and again for two days in 2019.
The bill says that teachers participating in a strike must be terminated and if they are not the provincial council of education, they must withhold payment from the teacher for how many days they participated in the strike.
Schools may also no longer include anticipation of strikes. If this does happen, it is time to dump her and move on.
‘This bill only explains that it was not the legislature’s intention to facilitate illegal work interruptions. This is not a retaliatory bill. It is about making sure that our children, our most precious resource, are still our priority, ”Republican Patricia Rucker, chairwoman of Senate Education, said.
Some Democrats in the state Senate have criticized the bill.
‘This bill helps West Virginia move forward. It does not help to promote that profession. It’s enthusiastic. “I think it’s retaliation for people who stand up for what they believe in,” said Senator Mike Caputo (D).
There is an identical bill in the House of Representatives that has yet to pass. The bill must be passed in the House and signed by the governor to become law.