AFT-WV responded to the decision rendered today by Judge Carrie Webster in Kanawha County Circuit Court regarding the union’s efforts to protect the health and safety of school employees until they could have been fully vaccinated:
“Obviously, we are disappointed by the judge’s decision to deny the temporary restraining order; we were hoping to secure time for our members to become fully vaccinated and protected during in-person instruction. However, we are respectful of the process and the opportunity to have the concerns of our members heard before the court. AFT-WV still believes these decisions are best left to the local boards of education, who are elected by the citizens of their communities to govern their local schools.” explained AFT-WV President Fred Albert.
AFT-WV attorney Jeff Blaydes continued, “While we are disheartened by today’s decision, it’s not necessarily the end of our legal efforts for our members. I will be meeting with Fred and the AFT-WV team during the next 24 hours to evaluate and decide our legal options moving forward in order to best serve the union’s members and protect their safety.”