West Virginia School Service Personnel Association Affiliates with the
American Federation of Teachers

On Aug. 23, the executive committee of the WVSSPA, an independent organization with 7,800 members, voted unanimously to affiliate with the AFT.

WASHINGTON—Over the weekend, the executive committee of the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association voted unanimously to affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers and its state affiliate, AFT-West Virginia. Together, the organizations represent approximately 15,000 education professionals.

“This affiliation vote is the culmination of a long and fruitful informal partnership with AFT-West Virginia,” said WVSSPA President Jacqueline Long.  “WVSSPA members directed us to find a partner that shares our goals, recognizes our independence and autonomy, and will help us to thrive and grow. The AFT is the best organization to do that. This partnership will allow us to remain WVSSPA—today, tomorrow and in the future.”

“This affiliation is a win for both WVSSPA and for all AFT members in general,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “By uniting the WVSSPA with the voices of our 1.4 million members nationwide, including our 7,000 members in West Virginia, we will help achieve our collective goals of justice, respect and dignity in our workplaces and our communities, for our members and those we serve.”

“The WVSSPA and AFT-WV have worked together in coalition on the county level on many issues, including increasing salaries, securing dental and vision benefits, and passing pension transfer legislation,” said AFT-WV President Judy Hale, who is also an AFT vice president. “Their affiliation allows our organizations to take this partnership to the next level and have an even stronger voice in the halls of government in Charleston and Washington.”

At their spring conference, WVSSPA delegates unanimously adopted their Futures Report, which directed the organization’s executive committee to seek a partner that shares its goals, values and ideals. After holding numerous member meetings, conducting extensive polling, and evaluating all options, the executive committee unanimously agreed that the AFT was the best choice.   

“I know that WVSSPA has been very successful in helping its members with workplace issues and securing benefits, even without the right to bargain,” said AFT Executive Vice President Lorretta Johnson, who chairs the AFT’s paraprofessional and school-related personnel (PSRP) program and policy council. “This partnership offers so much to other school service personnel members in states that face the same challenges.”

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