Charleston, W.Va. — As of this Labor Day, two major teachers’ unions in West Virginia have officially merged, creating a unified force for public education advocacy in the state. The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers—West Virginia (AFT-WV) have now formed a single entity, Education West Virginia.
The merger, which was voted on in the spring, is seen as a strategic move to provide a “stronger, unified voice for public education” in the state, the unions stated in a joint announcement.
New Union: Education West Virginia
The newly-formed union, Education West Virginia, aims to consolidate the efforts of both organizations in advocating for education employees in the state. In their Facebook messages, both the WVEA and AFT-WV expressed excitement about the merger and the possibilities it presents for the future of 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,” the unions shared on their respective social media pages. “Members will be kept up-to-date via email and mail.”
Focus on Member Advocacy
Co-Presidents Kristie Skidmore and Dale Lee of Education West Virginia, in a video posted on the organization’s Facebook page, emphasized that the new union would focus on advocating for its members, particularly in light of upcoming PEIA (Public Employees Insurance Agency) discussions at the state legislature.
“Our priority will be advocating for our members during rumored upcoming PEIA discussions,” said Skidmore and Lee in the video.
Key Points of the Merger
- The merger of WVEA and AFT-WV into Education West Virginia aims to create a more unified voice for public education in the state.
- Both unions had shared messages of excitement about the merger on social media, emphasizing the importance of building a stronger, member-engaged union.
- The new union’s leadership plans to advocate for education employees in the state, particularly in relation to the upcoming PEIA discussions.
The merger is expected to provide greater representation for West Virginia’s education workers and bring their collective concerns to the forefront in future legislative matters.
What are your thoughts on this merger and its potential impact on public education in West Virginia? Share your views in the comments below.
