I just wanted to give a shout out to the teachers of West Virginia, who, by refusing to listen to either their public officials or their union officials, just won practically everything they demanded! THAT is how you win a labor struggle! You go on strike, you don't listen to your detractors, and you don't go back to work until your demands are met. That's how you reason with unreasonable people. The teachers of West Virginia are among the worst-paid in the nation, but that's about to change thanks to their bravery and independence! In fact, as a result of their wildcat strike, ALL state employees in West Virginia will be getting a full 5% pay raise this year! (It's amazing how more and more money that supposedly doesn't exist manages to materialize the longer a strike wears on.)
The victory of the West Virginia teachers is emboldening teachers elsewhere now. The teachers of Oklahoma, the lowest-paid in the country, are now threatening to shut down that state's schools in the near future if their demands for improved pay and benefits aren't met as well. I say more power to them!
This is one of the most difficult and least-respected professions in America. I hope the inspiration that I think we're all feeling from what just happened in West Virginia translates into a national movement. It's high time we were treated with some respect and appreciation for a change!