Teachers Union Urges Caution Amid Viral Protest Call
Across the state, school districts are preparing for potential teacher absences on Friday as part of a protest over school funding. The movement stems from an anonymous social media post encouraging educators to call out sick on Friday and Monday, expressing frustration about stalled state budget talks, no raises, and higher health insurance costs—issues some teachers describe as a pay cut.
However, many chapters of the state’s teachers union are discouraging participation, emphasizing the need for organized and transparent action. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators is among those advising against joining the protest.
“If we do something too quickly and the community doesn't know why, then we're going to lose community support, and that's really, you know, our schools are the backbone of our community and we're working together,” said Rae LeGrone, Vice President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators, in an interview with WFAE.
LeGrone explained that previous teacher walkouts in North Carolina were extensively planned and organized, unlike the spontaneous call seen online. She added that districts may reject leave requests made for the day before a holiday, increasing the likelihood of pushback from those attempting to join Monday’s action, which falls before Veterans Day.
Background
- Anonymous post calls for statewide teacher sick-outs Friday and Monday.
- Motivations include lack of budget resolution, no pay raises, and higher health premiums.
- State educators' union chapters urge caution due to anonymity and lack of structure.
Union Perspective
Union representatives stress that rapid, uncoordinated protests risk eroding community trust and could undermine support for educators’ causes in the long run.
Author’s summary: Teachers unions in North Carolina are advising restraint after a viral post urged unsanctioned sick-outs to protest stagnant funding and rising costs.