News

Resources on School Reopening 

National AFT recommendations for safe school reopening

Workplace Checklist for Prevention of Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Virus in K-12 Education

COVID-19 Workplace Accomodations Memo
 

*A message from AFT-WV President Fred Albert*

I hope everyone is doing well amid these trying times we are living in right now. I just wanted to give a quick update on the latest information regarding school re-entry. AFT-WV has been meeting with various education and health officials as they work through the multitude of questions and issues that need addressed for the upcoming school year. Last Friday, our local presidents and executive board met with State Superintendent Clayton Burch via Zoom and had the opportunity for Q & A. County boards of education are working on their plans for the

People across the United States are eager to return to some semblance of “normal.” To do so, we must meet a herculean challenge: remaking our society and the places in our lives we hold dear—public schools and colleges, places of worship, workplaces, restaurants and more—in ways that hold paramount our ultimate priorities: the safety and well-being of our children, families and communities; the safety of our members and every frontline worker; and the health of our economy and economic well-being of working families. Physical distancing efforts have slowed the rate of COVID-19 infections, but

"Do Your Job OSHA” campaign calls on the agency to protect employees on frontlines of COVID-19 pandemic

The number of employees infected or killed by COVID-19 due to workplace exposure to the virus hasn’t been tallied yet, but those who represent these frontline workers say this count would be far lower if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would step up to protect public and private sector workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.

AFT-WV President Fred Albert said, “OSHA was created 50 years ago today to ensure safe and healthy conditions on the job for America’s working

AFT-WV has become aware of some county school systems attempting to require employees to report daily to the buildings, when these same employees have not been required to do so during this crisis.  The guidance from the WVDE has not changed, and the Governor’s stay-at-home order has not been lifted.  Educators are still directed to work from home and provide instruction remotely to students. The recent guidance issued by the WVDE pertains to the one-time closing out of classrooms and students’ retrieval of personal items from the schools in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

If you

AFT has been conducting Telephone Town Halls every Tuesday during the COVID-19 crisis, featuring topics that our members may find informative. If you would like to sign up to recieve the "opt-in" call for each Tuesday, Town Hall,  complete this form.

Additionally, you will receive text or email alerts with any important information as it becomes available. 

AFT-WV President Fred Albert appeared on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval this morning.

Among the topics discussed: the results of quick (and def not scientific!) online survey by AFT-WV, conducted just to gauge the feelings of members about how the 2019-20 school year school be concluded.

If you missed the broadcast, you view the results below.

We regret to announce the 2020 AFT-WV Summer School has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. While we are saddened to cancel our signature event, the health and safety of our members is our top priority. While no one knows what the next days or weeks will hold for us, we cannot imagine a circumstance where it would be safe (or even permitted, if we are still under current emergency orders) to hold an event with 200+ members from all across the state.

This was a difficult decision; however, we felt it was important to decide sooner rather than later. This will allow as much time as

Click to watch a video message from AFT-WV President Fred Albert. 

Update: 4-1-20

Gov. Jim Justice has delayed West Virginia’s Primary Election until June 9, past the anticipated peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

The governor also extended the closure of state K-12 schools until the end of April.

Both moves put West Virginia in line with federal social distancing guidelines that last until April 30. The most recent goal was April 20.