Oklahoma teachers group plans April 2 walkout without raise

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The president of Oklahoma's largest teacher's organization said Thursday that teachers will walk out of their classrooms if lawmakers don't approve a $6,000 raise by April 1, echoing the demands of other educators to boost teacher pay and increase education funding across the U.S.

Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said teachers are planning a statewide work stoppage on April 2 unless the Legislature raises their salaries for the first time since 2008.

"We demand that the Legislature pass a budget with the necessary revenue to provide teacher and support personnel with a significant pay raise," she said at a news conference.