Charleston, WV — In a significant move for public education in the state, two of West Virginia’s largest teachers’ unions have officially merged. The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers—West Virginia (AFT-WV) are now united under the new name Education West Virginia.
The decision to merge was made earlier this year, with the unions voting in favor of the move during the spring. According to both organizations, the merger will create a stronger, unified voice for public education in West Virginia.
“We are excited to build a stronger and more member-engaged union to advocate for education employees in our state,” said both unions in similar statements posted on their Facebook pages. They also assured their members that they would be kept up-to-date on developments through email and mail communications as per WBOY News.
Strengthening Advocacy for Education
As Education West Virginia moves forward, one of its key priorities is likely to be advocating for its members during the upcoming discussions around the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) at the state legislature. This is an issue that has generated considerable attention in the state, with many teachers and public education employees eager for improvements to their healthcare benefits.
In a video posted on Education West Virginia’s official Facebook page, Co-Presidents Kristie Skidmore and Dale Lee addressed the merging of the two unions and laid out their goals for the future.
“We will work diligently to ensure our voices are heard as these important conversations unfold,” said Skidmore and Lee, expressing their commitment to advocating for the needs of education workers.
What the Merge Means for Members
With the merger now complete, Education West Virginia is positioned to have a greater collective impact on education policy and labor negotiations in the state. The union leaders emphasize that this new, consolidated structure will allow them to better represent members and advocate for changes that will directly benefit public education employees.
Both Skidmore and Lee shared their enthusiasm about the merger, highlighting the increased strength the union will have moving forward.
What are your thoughts on this merger and its potential impact on public education in West Virginia? Share your views in the comments below.
