In a historic move for educators in West Virginia, two major unions have voted to merge, creating a unified voice for teachers and service personnel across the state. The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) officially announced their merger last year, with a goal of combining resources to enhance support for educators.
Representatives from both unions met in Charleston last month to vote on the merger, which will result in the formation of Education West Virginia. This new organization will represent teachers and service personnel statewide, combining the strengths of both unions into one powerful collective voice.
A Long-Awaited Merger for West Virginia Educators
“For years, we’ve talked about this and wondered what it would be like if we were all under one union,” said Catricia Martin, WVEA West-central Region Organizational Development Specialist. “We’ve spent years fighting for the same causes, but now we’ll be able to accomplish even more together. We all believe every child in West Virginia deserves a free education.”
The merger, set to officially take place on September 1, will make West Virginia the sixth state in the nation to merge education unions. This is especially significant given the long history of WVEA, founded in 1864, just a year after West Virginia became a state.
Stronger Together: Benefits of the Merger
The combination of WVEA and AFT-WV will bring substantial advantages to educators in West Virginia, creating a more effective and unified force to protect and advance public education.
The merger will provide double the staff in each county, making it easier to support local chapters and respond to members’ needs more efficiently. Martin emphasized that the goal is not just to create an organization, but to build a unified force to preserve and protect public education in the state.
Key Benefits of the Merger Include:
Enhanced Membership Support
- Increased staff to help organize local issues
- More representatives available to assist members
- Expanded membership services for both teachers and service personnel
Broader Organizational Strength
- Combined membership from two major national unions
- Access to resources from the National Education Association and AFL-CIO
- Enhanced political and legislative advocacy power
Additional Member Resources
- Comprehensive liability insurance
- Travel discounts
- Expanded networking opportunities
- Support for grievance processes
Celebrating the Merger with a Special Event
To celebrate the launch of Education West Virginia, the newly formed union will host a “Mix, Mingle, and Merge: Education West Virginia Begins!” event on April 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. Current and prospective members are invited to learn about the merger, membership benefits, and how the new unified organization will serve them.
“Members and potential members can come, enjoy refreshments, and ask questions about the merger,” Martin said. “This is an exciting opportunity for educators to come together and understand the positive changes happening in our union.”
Open to All Educators in Wood County
The event is open to all Wood County School employees, and new members can join for free at the event, with no dues required until September 1.
This merger marks a new chapter in West Virginia’s educational landscape, offering stronger representation and more resources to educators across the state. With Education West Virginia, teachers and service personnel now have a united voice to advocate for better working conditions and quality education for all students.
