Strike Not Only About Retro Pay; But Working Conditions As Well, Teachers Say

ST. THOMAS — In a statement issued by Governor Kenneth Mapp late Tuesday, the territory’s leader said he was at a loss in understanding why teachers had taken to the streets in Charlotte Amalie in protest, when his administration has been working closely with teachers to ensure that their wages are increased.

“On what basis or reason is the A.F.T. disrupting the school instruction process by abandoning their students and demonstrating on the public streets? While I want to understand the protest of the teachers, I am at a loss as I publicly announced months ago that I will increase teachers’ salaries,” Mr. Mapp said.

But the educators’ frustrations go beyond just pay raises; they are also vexed by the working conditions at the territory’s public schools.

For months teachers have been reaching out to The Consortium, sharing images and lamenting what they refer to as “deplorable working conditions” that they bear everyday. During these conversations, teachers are usually focused on the lack of tools needed to teach, which oftentimes forces them to spend their own money — already insufficient — to pay for utensils and other indelible items needed to educate the territory’s children.

They hardly mention their salary, although having not received a wage increase in seven years tops their list of grievances as well. And it’s the main reason why teachers have been leaving the public education system in the U.S.V.I and moving to the U.S. mainland for better pay.

On April 12, a teacher sent The Consortium 18 pictures of a classroom at the St. Croix Educational Complex. “Issues with windows, doors, computers, filthy a/c ducts, electrical outlets, electrical cords (under students’ feet, fire hazard), broken PVC pipes used to run Internet cables, and computer monitors not working,” this person, whom The Consortium has chosen not to reveal, wrote. See pictures below. Also below, a video shot this afternoon showing at least eight Central High School teachers, inspired by their St. Thomas-St. John counterparts, staging a small strike outside the school, leaving an estimated 200 students unattended. The teachers spoke of depressing working conditions and stagnant wages.