In 2018, thousands of West Virginia teachers and school workers went on strike for nine days to demand better pay and lower health insurance costs. Teachers were among the lowest paid in the nation, and many were worried about rising PEIA health insurance expenses.

The strike began after educators felt state leaders were not doing enough to address these problems. About 33,000 teachers and school employees participated, filling the State Capitol in Charleston with rallies and protests.

On March 6, state leaders agreed to give teachers, school service personnel, and other state workers a 5% pay raise. Changes to PEIA were also put on hold. The strike ended the next day and gained national attention, inspiring similar teacher protests in other states.