Oklahoma schools go on four-day weeks so teachers can make rent by working at Walmart on Mondays

[BigmanPigman]

6. Part of it may be due to benefits increasing.

In San Diego we didn't get raises for 5 years and our co-pays, emerg room fees etc. increased too. We were given, or threatened to be given, pink slips every year. The union was extremely weak. The older, stronger teachers all bailed with a "golden handshake" and the newer younger ones needed the benefits to pay the health care for their growing families so they always caved and gave in without a strike. The growing cost of health care is a major factor in wage stagnation.