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KY Labor Cabinet: More Than 1,000 Teachers Violated State Law

Josh James
/
WUKY

Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary David Dickerson reports his agency found that more than a thousand teachers violated Kentucky law by engaging in an “illegal work stoppage” during the 2019 legislative session.

In a release, the Cabinet reiterates that it has the “discretion to prosecute and assess civil penalties of up to $1,000 per person,” but that no penalties will be assessed in this instance. Dickerson argues the investigation was necessary to ensure that "public schools remain open during the upcoming school year and that similar work stoppages don’t happen in the future."

The release also says United States District Judge Danny Reeves has affirmed that the Cabinet had “every right to investigate public school teachers for their conduct.”

House Democratic leaders responded with a joint statement, saying, “This administration has tried every trick in the book to undermine our teachers and their supporters. Its Labor Cabinet threatens them with fines for exercising their right to be heard on legislation directly affecting them; its Finance and Administration Cabinet all but locks the doors to the Capitol to shut down any form of dissent; and the governor calls them thugs and tries to take away their retirement. Our teachers — and all of Kentucky — deserve better than this.” 

Check back for updates on this story. 

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.