The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Staffing Issues?
Pay and Train Workers!

Nov 23, 2020

Superintendents across Michigan are citing a lack of subs to cover all the teachers who need to quarantine due to COVID. Michigan has faced a shortage of substitute teachers for years, and the abysmally minimal pay increases aren’t cutting it. Substitute teaching was difficult work before the pandemic, and now subs face COVID exposure and new online learning platforms to navigate. Yet substitute teachers in Michigan earn between $10-15 per hour.

The solution is obvious. Pay all educational staff a thriving wage, offer free training and education, and equip the schools with resources and PPE needed for safe learning. When jobs pay well and provide decent working conditions, employees stick around!