School employees stand up for rights

Pocahontas County School employees, students and public employee supporters gathered Tuesday morning on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Marlinton to show support for the school employees’ proposed work stoppage. The West Virginia Legislature is dealing with demands for an increase in wages and a freeze on PEIA [Public Employees Insurance Agency] premiums. If the issues are not resolved, teachers across the state plan to “walk-out” Thursday and Friday. Pictured, clockwise from top left: teacher Denise Burns, Jersee Simmons and Ronnie Simmons; and attorney Josh Hardy, who stood for public employees – including State Troopers, DOH employees and corrections officers. All five county schools participated in the early morning, peaceful demonstrations in Green Bank and Marlinton. Photos courtesy of Heather Simmons