U.S. News

Actions

Raises For Oklahoma Teachers May Not Be Enough To Stop A Strike

Oklahoma lawmakers approved a $6,100 pay increase for teachers, but the state's teachers union said that might not be enough.
Posted
and last updated

Oklahoma lawmakers approved a bill that would increase teachers' pay by $6,100, and the state's governor said she would sign it. But that might not be enough to keep teachers from striking.

The Oklahoma Education Association's president said in a statement that while the bill "is major progress, this investment alone will not undo a decade of neglect." She said educators will "descend on the Capitol" during a walkout Monday.

According to the National Education Association, in 2016, the average salary of teachers in Oklahoma was ranked 49th nationally. Only Mississippi and South Dakota were ranked lower.

The strike threat in Oklahoma comes after teachers in West Virginia also demanded a pay raise. That strike resulted in West Virginia lawmakers approving a 5 percent raise for public school teachers and state employees.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.