Oklahoma City AFT Accepts Pay Raise Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY—Statement by Ed Allen, president of the 2,600-member Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers, on accepting the legislation approved by the state House of Representatives and Senate, to raise teacher salaries by about $6,000 and raise several taxes to pay for the wage increases and more investment in schools.

“Teachers’ voices were heard and reflected in this bill, which acknowledges that educators have been woefully underpaid and undervalued and that schools have been grossly underfunded. While the Oklahoma City AFT accepts this package of pay raises, tax increases and education investment, we consider it a down payment. Families need much more to feel assured that schools can recruit and keep quality educators and that kids get the resources they need to succeed. The fight goes on, especially to pass the November referendum to raise the gross production tax on oil and gas to 7 percent.”