MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. — All 55 counties in West Virginia have been united for 7 days as teachers and school service personnel stood in solidarity at the capitol and local courthouses.
Teachers and other state workers have been outraged over pay and proposed changes to health insurance and seniority as well as other issues. Involved in those proposed changes was the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency – which provides medical insurance to all teachers, service personnel and other state employees.
West Virginia teachers are 48th in the nation for pay.
Wednesday, Governor Jim Justice promised a 5% raise, a task force to fix and permanently fund P.E.I.A.
Mingo County Education Association President, Brandon Wolford, says if leaders are not going to follow through on their promises, teachers and service personnel are not going to follow through with theirs.
The Mingo County Education Association submitted a formal request to the Mingo County Board of Education for a cancellation of school on Friday. That request was granted and Mingo County officials are hoping the other 54 counties follow suit.
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