AFT-WV’s initial strategy to seek relief for our members at the local level via the grievance procedure continues. After the Circuit Court basically affirmed our legal opinion that the Governor has the constitutional authority to implement safety measures via the color-coded school map during a state of emergency, we have sought to remedy various COVID-19 related concerns using this venue.
The 2020 AFT-WV Convention was held virtually on November 14th. Delegates approved two resolutions during the convention. Click below to read each resolution.
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DATE and CITY
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LOCATION
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Tuesday, November 10, 2020 -- Telephone Town Hall
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Call-In Phone No.: 304-410-0513 |
After reviewing the Circuit Court decision issued last Friday by Judge Carrie Webster on the legality of the color-coded school map, it appears the Court basically affirmed AFT-WV’s legal opinion that the Governor has the constitutional authority to implement these measures during a state of emergency.
Update on COVID-related legal issues
The following WV Board of Education policies are on public comment until November 16th at 4:00PM. AFT-WV encourages our members to review the policies and comment with your feedback to the BOE.
Over the past several weeks, AFT-WV leadership has been consulting with our legal team to explore various ways to address the school-related COVID concerns of our members. Our in-house attorney and outside counsel have been researching case law and collaborating on possible avenues for intervention and action, both on the state and local levels.
AFT-WV is disappointed that, once again, the Governor has misrepresented our position regarding school re-entry metrics. The 5% positivity rate is only one of six necessary factors in the AFT’s guidance document, A Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities. The Governor continues to cherry-pick the portions of AFT’s public health guidance document to suit his own agenda.
Patience—counseled by former Vice President Joe Biden all election week as Americans waited for votes to be counted—finally paid off Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, when Biden won in Pennsylvania and gained enough Electoral College votes to acquire a new title: president-elect. AFT President Randi Weingarten says the union’s leaders and members “can’t wait to get started” on the work ahead “with an administration that will embrace and fight for the values we hold dear.”