The economic downturn in 2008 saw many states cutting education budgets. But while the economy has recovered most of those states haven't restored necessary funding. Teachers are fed up and ask: What about the children?

We also have some members facing tough contract negotiations at the moment and good news about our new, stronger Local.

"I'm not walking out on your children, the state did that a decade ago." Those words are from fourth grade teacher Brenda Lopez, according to CNN (video will play at link), but it appears to be a sentiment shared by teachers across five different states. Late April saw walkouts, marches, and work actions in Arizona and Colorado, organized protests in Oklahoma and Kentucky, and the strike that started it all in West Virginia in early March. Teachers have been making news by showing how years of neglect have left classrooms poorly equipped and under-paid teachers doing every thing they can to make up the gap. This CNN video (video will play at link) shows "vermin-filled classrooms and tattered textbooks, improvised air conditioners and globes showing a Soviet Union and two Germanys."

These workers really just want to do a good job teaching the nation's schoolchildren. "Why would you not want to provide our kids with the best possible education?" Cindi Morton is quoted in that video. "We do our best here. I need my leaders, my government to do the same," she says.

The reactions from leaders in the states where teachers have been mobilizing range from dismissive to threatening. According to TheRealNews.com " Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin compared them to a teenager who wants a new car" while in Kentucky, Governor Matt Bevin made the astonishing claim: "I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them." The Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction threatened to censure or revoke teaching certificates for teachers who "strike." (CNN, above)

But the need is real and anything but frivolous. Teacher's pay has never been excessive and today, thanks to fiscal priorities that put funding religious school vouchers and private charter schools along with cutting taxes on oil and gas ahead of public education, the current rate of pay is exceedingly low. According to the Economic Policy Institute:

Not surprisingly, striking teachers live in states with some of the largest pay gaps. In Arizona, teachers earn just 63 cents on the dollar compared with other college graduates. That gap is 79 cents in Kentucky, 67 cents in Oklahoma, and 75 cents in West Virginia. These gaps amount to vast differences in earning over a career. It is not surprising that there are teacher shortages across the United States as college students, especially women, choose other professions. In 18 states, public school teacher weekly wages lag by more than 25 percent. There is no state where teacher wages are equal to or better than those of other college graduates.

After Republicans took over every branch of government in 2010 here in Wisconsin, they rammed through Act 10 and, as a result, teachers here saw a sharp drop in pay and benefits. The Center for American Progress found in a report that, among other things: " in the 2015-2016 school year, Wisconsin teachers’ median combined salaries and benefits were $10,843 lower than they were before Act 10 passed" and "the Wisconsin teaching force is less experienced now than before Act 10 was passed."

Our Republican-controlled state government also forced through so-called "right to work" legislation, putting us on the same track and footing as Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. In those other states we're seeing significant labor actions supported by Unions where available but with workers going without when they have to. Will we see the same sort of actions here? Should we? Would you support teachers in Wisconsin doing everything they can to ensure that your child gets the best possible education in a facility that is up to code and has current textbooks?

There have been posts on our private Facebook page about this issue. Come on over to discuss.