Justice spoke at a Tuesday afternoon news conference after the Legislature passed a 5 percent pay raise for teachers and others in a deal to end the walkout that closed schools.
Union leaders haven't said whether they're calling for an end to the strike, pending a ceremony at the governor's office later Tuesday. Both the House of Delegates and the state Senate unanimous passed the pay raise for teachers, school service personnel and state troopers. Other state workers will have to wait for a budget bill to pass before getting their 5 percent raises promised under the deal.West Virginia's teachers are applauding the unanimous Senate approval of a 5 percent raise in pay for teachers and troopers, in a deal to end a nine-day walkout that closed schools statewide.
Other state workers will have to wait for a budget bill to pass before getting their 5 percent raises promised under the deal.West Virginia's House of Delegates has passed a 5 percent pay raise for striking teachers after a legislative conference committee agreed to the figure. Senate Finance Chairman Craig Blair says to pay for the raises, lawmakers will seek to cut state spending by $20 million, taking funds from general government services and Medicaid. Other state workers who also would get 5 percent raises under the deal will have to wait for a budget bill to pass.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice says a tentative agreement has been reached to end a nine-day statewide teachers' strike by giving them the 5 percent raises he negotiated to end their walkout.