Amelia Roedersheimer, president of AFT-Wood County, and Michelle Talbott, president of the Wood County Education Association, will serve as co-presidents for the local teachers union when the WVEA and AFT-WV merger officially begins Sept. 1. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Teachers in West Virginia will have new representation as two unions voted to merge into one last month.

The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) announced last year the two organizations would be working towards the goal of combining resources to better serve the educators in West Virginia. Representatives from both unions met last month in Charleston to vote on the merger and form a new representation organization called Education West Virginia, a unified organization representing teachers and service personnel statewide.

“For years we’ve talked about this and wondered what it would be like if we were all under one union,” WVEA West-central Region Organizational Development Specialist Catricia Martin said. “We’ve spent years fighting things separately but together. We stand for the same things – believing every child in West Virginia is entitled to a free education.”

Martin said the two unions will officially combine on Sept. 1, becoming only the sixth state in the nation to merge education unions. She said the merger is particularly significant given WVEA’s historic roots, having been established in 1864, just a year after West Virginia became a state.

“For us to look at just being one union in West Virginia, and being able to accomplish so much together, was a real dream,” Martin said.

The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia (AFT-WV) met last month in Charleston to vote on the merger and form a new representation organization called Education West Virginia, a unified organization representing teachers and service personnel statewide. (Photo Provided)

She said the merger will have significant advantages for educators across West Virginia, creating a more powerful collective voice for teachers and service personnel. She said each county will now have co-officers from both original unions, expanding resources and accessibility.

“Having double the staff will essentially lighten the workload and provide more support for our local chapters,” Martin said. “We’re not just creating an organization, we’re creating a unified force to preserve and protect public education.”

Key benefits include:

Enhanced Membership Support:

* Increased staff to help organize local issues

* More representatives available to assist members

* Expanded membership services for service personnel and teachers

Broader Organizational Strength:

* Combined membership from two major national unions

* Access to resources from National Education Association and AFL-CIO

* Increased political and legislative advocacy power

Member Resources:

* Comprehensive liability insurance

* Travel discounts

* Expanded networking opportunities

* Support for grievance processes

Martin said on April 30 from 5-7 p.m., representatives from the newly forming Education West Virginia will host a “Mix, Mingle, and Merge: Education West Virginia Begins!” celebration event at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, inviting current and prospective members to learn about the merger. She said all current union members and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend the free event where representatives will be available to discuss membership benefits, the merger process and answer any questions about the new unified organization.

“Members and potential members can come, enjoy refreshments, and ask questions about the merger,” Martin said. “This is a chance for educators to come together and understand the exciting changes happening in our union.”

This event is open to all Wood County School employees. New members can join for free at this event with no dues until Sept. 1.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com