Public schools in West Virginia remained closed Tuesday as thousands of schoolteachers continued their demands for better wages. Teachers on strike have demanded a face-to-face meeting with Gov. Jim Justice and leaders from the state legislature to address their complaints, a union official said Monday. Schoolteachers announced they would continue to strike until they are granted a meeting with the state’s leaders, said Christine Campbell, president of the American Federation of Teacher’s West Virginia chapter. The average pay for West Virginia teachers ranks among the lowest in the nation. Last week the state’s Republican governor signed a bill into law that would raise pay for teachers and state employees. Teachers would see a pay increase of $808 next year and $404 the following two year; however teachers said the increases are not enough, especially as health care costs rise. Missed class time as a result of the strike will be automatically added to the end of the school year.
