By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Education Association is asking for a third statewide pay raise after succeeding in securing pay increases for teachers each of the last two years. An article in this week's issue of School Journal says the group wants a significant pay raise for teachers and other school employees. The exact amount sought was not disclosed. Jim Wrye, a spokesman for the Montgomery-based teachers union, said officials plan to come up with a more precise figure before the state Legislature convenes in March. The raise would have to be approved by the Legislature and also the governor and would go into effect during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Alabama teachers received a six percent raise in 2005 and a five percent raise this year. According to the American Federation of Teachers, that has brought the average teacher's pay from 38-thousand-300 dollars in 2004 to about 42-thousand-600 dollars this year.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)