My state had much the same problem, teachers complaining about lousy pay. So, I did some research.
Set aside all the arguments - "They only work 9 months a year." "great benefits" "etc". I was only interested in raises, because THAT'S what everyone said that they needed.
IMO, raises were lousy. The pay difference between a new hire, and a 20-year teacher, wasn't much.
However - and you knew that a however was coming - The pay scale is public knowledge. You could easily look it up, and say, "OK, if I start teaching, my salary will be X. After 10 years, it will be X + a percentage. If I get such-and-such a certificate, and a degree, it goes up another specific percentage."
No secrets and no surprises. 5 minutes worth of online looking will tell a prospective teacher *exactly* what they'll be making, and when, and how to increase it if they so desire. If they don't like the plainly spelled out roadmap, then they need to work elsewhere. I'd no idea what they were complaining about - it was all right in front of them, right from the start of their college career.
Wish that I had it mapped out like that in the private sector, would help me make plenty of decisions. "Gee, WBill, you're getting a 3% raise when you get your MBA. Is it worth going 60K into debt?" Nope, I gotta roll the dice, just like all the other schmoes in the private sector.
My wife was a teacher. My son is a coach./teacher. They elected to sign up at the going rate. They did not have to sign the contract. They signed. SHUT UP!! with this “more money” crap. Just go start a business or get a 12 month job. Any teacher who strikes should be fired forthwith!!