The resolution below was passed by the PJSTA’s executive board today. All members are encouraged to click here and contribute to the strike fund.

Whereas the teachers and school service employees in West Virginia have been suffering under changes to their health insurance resulting in drastic increases to the premiums paid; and

Whereas West Virginia’s governor is only offering meager pay raises over the next five years that would not offset the health insurance increases; and

Whereas the combination of health care increases and meager pay raises would result in a “pay cut” of sorts; and

Whereas West Virginia already ranks 48th in the United States in teacher salaries; and

Whereas the treatment of an employer of it’s teachers and school service employees directly impacts the students and communities they serve; and

Whereas the teachers and school service employees in West Virginia have organized, largely at the grassroots level, a statewide strike that has completely shut down public schools across the entire state; and

Whereas the Janus v.s AFSCME case is being heard in the Supreme Court this week and the teachers and school service employees in West Virginia are showing us a path forward through grassroots organizing and militant direct action; and

Whereas the teachers and school service employees make up fellow affiliates of both the AFT and NEA; and

Whereas a victory for the teachers and school service employees in West Virginia would greatly encourage teachers everywhere, including members of the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association and the New York State United Teachers, to continue in our increasingly stronger efforts to combat damaging and abusive cuts in New York; and

Whereas a victory for the teachers and school service employees would be a victory for public-sector employees across the country who continue to oppose the privatization of public resources and the plundering of public assets; therefore be it

Resolved that the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association supports the teachers and school service employees in West Virginia in its fight for the needs of its members, their students, and their communities; and be it further

Resolved that the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association will contribute to the strike fund for those on strike and encourage our membership to make individual contributions as well; and be it further

Resolved that the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association urges NYSUT and its affiliates to adopt a similar resolution.