Charleston, WV (WOAY) – Two unions with a similar mission will join forces to advocate for education in the mountain state.
According to a media release, the West Virginia Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers in West Virginia will come together to form a larger group called Education West Virginia.
The historic agreement between the two organizations was approved by delegates from both organizations during their respective assemblies on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV.
“We are ushering in a new era for West Virginia educators,” stated current AFT-WV President Kristie Skidmore. “While the challenges facing education have not changed since Saturday, our collective power has doubled, and we will now face the headwinds together.”
Current WVEA President Dale Lee commented, “We have been having discussions regarding the merger for a while now. Public education is at a crossroads, and we believe as a unified voice we are better equipped to represent the interests of our members and public schools.”
The merger becomes official on September 1, 2025, when Education West Virginia formally begins operations. The WVEA and AFT they will be working jointly in the meantime.
