Teachers rally over cuts to retirement

FRANKFORT, KY. » Hundreds of teachers in central Kentucky rallied in front of public schools Thursday morning to protest proposed cuts to their retirement benefits in what could be a precursor to a statewide strike.

Kentucky state Senators on Wednesday took the first step toward passing a bill they say would save taxpayers $3.2 billion over the next 20 years and stabilize one of the country’s worst-funded public pension systems. But most of those savings would come from a 33 percent cut to the annual cost- of-living raises for retired teachers, who are not eligible for Social Security benefits.

Teachers have called lawmakers and packed legislative committee rooms to show their opposition. But Thursday was the first organized protest at public schools in front of parents and students. It came just days after a nine- day statewide teacher strike in West Virginia ended when lawmakers there approved 5percent raises.

Momentum is building around the nation for protests over pay and benefits for public school teachers. Arizona teachers are contemplating actions of their own amid growing frustration over meager pay.

In Oklahoma, the president of the state’s largest teachers’ organization said Thursday that teachers will walk out of their classrooms April 2 if lawmakers don’t approve a $6,000 raise by April 1. Teacher pay hasn’t been raised by that state’s legislature since 2008.