In most states, the right for teachers to take industrial action is protected under the law. Some states, however, require workers to make some effort to settle conflict before issuing a strike. On the other hand, some states forbid teachers' strikes entirely. Such is the case in West Virginia, where teachers could potentially lose their jobs or face different forms of punishment if they engage in these protests.

Apart from wage increases, another reason that warrants legalizing teachers' strikes entails funding for schools. Often, strikes lead to the state government allocating more funds and resources to the education sector. It is this increased funding that translates to better working and learning conditions. 

West Virginia is one of the states that suffer from a poorly-funded education system. Several schools still utilize outdated teaching materials because they lack the necessary financial aid to upgrade. As of 2018, West Virginia was spending about $10,599 per student yearly. This is very little, considering other states spend double that amount per student annually. 

The 2018 strike is a good example. Back then, teachers throughout West Virginia went on strike, paralyzing learning for nearly two weeks. This protest spread to other states, namely, Arizona and Oklahoma. 

The WV teachers had several demands that they wanted to be addressed. These included wage rises, funding for their health insurance, and an increase in the number of specialists - nurses, counselors, and more- in schools. Gov. James C Justice promised the teachers a 5% increment to end the strike. He also pledged to create a task force that would address the issue of increasing insurance costs.

Strikes have a history of enacting effective change in education. Labor unions, including those that advocate for teachers and school staff, have an essential role in ensuring high education for all students. Banning the ability to utilize their voices goes against the very fabric of democracy and is the wrong call for teachers.