Will WV teachers “remember in November”?

“We will remember in November.”

School employees repeated the mantra as they filled state Capitol hallways for nearly two weeks, underlining the political aspect of the first statewide teacher and school service personnel strike in West Virginia history.

The chorus, generally aimed at Republicans in the House of Delegates and the Senate, came in response to what the workers saw as the Legislature obstructing bills that would give teachers and school service personnel a pay raise, while accelerating union-opposed bills, such as one that would downplay the role of seniority in teacher layoffs and transfers.

With early voting for the May 8 primary elections less than a month away and the dust still settling from the strike, the question remains as to what — if any — effect the strike might have on politics in West Virginia.