News

2018 AFT WV Student Artist Competition

Theme: Education in Action

Deadline June 1, 2018

Official Entry Form and Rules 

AFT-West Virginia Student Artist Contest

2018 Contest Information

• WHO MAY ENTER: All students enrolled in public school grades K through 12 may enter. You must have a public school teacher, preferably an art teacher, sign the entry form.
• SUBJECT MATTER: All entries must be inspired by this concept, “Celebrating Public Schools.”
• MEDIUM: All entries must be original artwork. These may be of any medium type (pencil, ink, acrylic, oil, charcoal, pastel

The state leader of the American Federation of Teachers weighed in on education proposals made by Governor Jim Justice during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

AFT-West Virginia President Christine Campbell was impressed with the Governor’s commitment to education, citing the Governor’s long record of school involvement as a coach and his understanding of many issues currently facing schools.

Statement from AFT-WV President Christine Campbell on Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to reject Betsy DeVos’ confirmation:

“Teachers and service personnel across West Virginia are grateful that Senator Manchin understands the educational needs of rural children and recognizes that Betsy DeVos does not. We thank Senator Manchin for listening to his constituents regarding their grave concerns about the direction DeVos would take America’s schools."

“DeVos’ devotion to for-profit charter schools and vouchers, not public schools, would do nothing to help  West Virginia children. Our students

AFT-WV was proud to help the Pantry Plus Program to benefit Monongalia County students in need!

Thank you to Monongalia County Commissioner and AFT member Tom Bloom for helping us arrange this community service project.

Read the news story from WDTV about this community service project featuring quotes from Bloom, AFT-WV President Christine Campbell and AFT-Monongalia President Sam Brunett.

Thanks to the many teachers, service personnel, public employees and retirees who attended and spoke at the PEIA Public Hearings. We must continue to speak out against these continues attacks on our health care! 

Please sign up for email/text alerts on the homepage to stay informed on the latest developments with this issue.

Missed the hearings? Click the link below to view information about the proposed cuts.

• Click here to read about this year's proposed PEIA benefit cuts

Disaster Relief Grants for AFT-WV Members:

As part of the Union Plus assistance programs designed to assist union members, the Disaster Relief Grant is able to help those who are facing financial hardship due to a natural disaster. The money does not have to be repaid.

Eligibility

To be considered for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, the union member must:

-Have a Union Plus Credit Card, Union Plus Mortgage, Union Plus Life or Accidental Death Insurance or Union Plus Auto Insurance policy for at least 12 months with the account or policy in good standing (be up-to-date on payments).
-Have

AFT members jumped into action after the devastating June floods and helped their fellow West Virginians in several ways.

AFT-Marion County members collected cleaning supplies, clothing and other needed items and traveled to Clendenin, WV to deliver to families affected by the flood. 

AFT-WV and its locals fundraised for flood relief during AFT Summer School in Kingwood, WV. In just five days, around 200 members raised $5000 for flood victims! 

One brave AFT member even shaved his head to raise money for flood victims!  Union proud and WV strong!

AFT-WV members joined over 3500 union members from across the state to protest the WV legislative leadership’s attack on working families.

Chants of “Right to Work is Wrong” and “Fix and Fund PEIA” echoed throughout the Capitol halls before the Governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday night.

Last year, public employees and retirees saw nearly $42 million in PEIA benefit cuts for the 2015-16 plan year. While those cuts caused hardships on West Virginia's hard working families, the future is much worse.

Without immediate action by Senate President Bill Cole, House Speaker Tim Armstead, and members of the legislature, PEIA will be forced to make draconian cuts eliminating $120 million in active and retiree benefits. The West Virginia Legislature must stop the assault on West Virginia's working families.

Competitive salaries offered during election years have become routine empty

The state board of education voted on October 15th to postpone the use of the state summative assessment data in conjunction with the fifteen percent (15%) component for the teacher’s evaluation in the tested grades and subjects.  For the 2015-2016 school year, all teachers will write two (2) student learning goals. 

The Policy 5310 waiver will also postpone the mandated student roster verification procedures due to budget cuts imposed by the governor.  State Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano indicated the roster verification process was very labor intensive for the teachers.  He also is