Arizona Teachers Plan Walkout Vote This Week

PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona teachers are skeptical about Gov. Ducey's statement that he wants to give them 20 percent raises. They are dismayed by the fact he didn't bring up the larger issue of increasing education funding. As a result, this week, teachers across the state will be voting on whether or not to stage a walkout.

"This proposal falls short for us in a lot of different ways," according to one of the leaders of Arizona Educators United, Noah Karvelis, said. "This doesn't do enough for our kids and colleagues."

Arizona teachers are part of a growing movement around the country that started with striking teachers in West Virginia and has spread to states including Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Alaska. In the past few weeks, they have seen support growing for their demands for a 20 percent increase in pay and a restoration of funding to education.

Arizona teachers are among the lowest paid in the country and even if they received a 20 percent hike, they would still make less than the nationwide average. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

Many Arizona teachers work two or more jobs in addition to teaching so that they can pay the bills.

Ducey had responded for weeks by insisting that teachers would only receive a 1 percent pay increase and insisted that he would not meet with them.

Last Wednesday, teachers across the state staged a "walk-in" where they were joined by supporters as they walked in to school that day. Organizers estimate more than 110,000 people participated.

Ducey responded with the offer by saying he would increase teacher pay by 20 percent.

Karvelis and his colleagues point out that while Ducey said that he would raise their pay, his proposal was very short on details, particularly how it would be sustained beyond one year.

They are also upset with Ducey for not offering to increase education funding overall.

Patch recently reported on teachers using decades old textbooks, having broken equipment, and teaching in rooms with holes in the ceiling and torn carpet.

Teachers also want education funding returned to the level it was ten years ago. The state legislature determined last year that, when adjusted for inflation, the state spends more than $900 per student less than it did in 2008.

Along with that, the teachers want a guarantee that the state will not cut taxes until per student spending reaches the national average. Currently, the state spends nearly $4,000 less per student than the national average of $11,392.

As a result, the teachers say they are ready to vote on a statewide walkout.

The voting will start Tuesday.

On Wednesday, they will stage a "vote-in" – similar to the "walk-ins" that they have been staging but with a chance for teachers to cast their vote.

The voting will close on Thursday and on Saturday, teachers across the state will meet to discuss the results and what's next.

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Photos via Arizona Educators United.