Teachers vote for strike, while some teachers reflect on the 1990 strike

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — West Virginia teachers and service personnel have voted overwhelmingly for a strike, but a union representative said that doesn't mean a strike is happening just yet.

Union leaders from across the state met in Flatwoods and reported their strike authorization vote results from their county. A union spokesperson said they won't strike yet as they intend to still work with lawmakers, but you may continue to see counties participate in activities such as walkouts and rallies.

Some teachers who are rallying now participated in a strike in 1990 and said they are thankful for the internet.

"It brings back many, many flashbacks," Rosemary Jenkins said.

The signs and rallies have some veteran teachers recalling the year of 1990 - the state's last teacher strike.

Kathy Miller, a teacher for 31 years, said things feel much more organized now.

"We have more support I believe," Miller said.

Many of the veteran teachers explain that during the 1990 strike, they didn't know how other counties were feeling compared to now.

"We didn't have social media and so we were just kind of out there and depended on what our union rep in the schools would say," retired teacher Kathy Poston said. "Schools were so spread out, we depended on word of mouth to know what's going on."

Poston continues to stand and rally as her children are now teachers. She recalls being a single mom during the 1990 strike and tells her kids they are lucky to have the internet.

"I think people are fed up statewide but because of social media we know what each county is doing and before we went through it blindly and it scared back then," Poston said.

There is a secret Facebook group for public employees that one of the administrators said is helping get information out to everyone across the state. He adds the group has really helped people not feel alone.

On Monday, PEIA members have a chance to voice their opinion about the proposed changes. There is a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday at the University of Charleston. If you wish to make a comment, you must register at 5:30 p.m.