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Noting Josh Sword’s extensive experience in the West Virginia labor movement and his dedicated service with the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the organization’s Executive Board unanimously chose him to serve as President on December 15, 2016.

Sword had served as Secretary-Treasurer of the WV AFL-CIO since January 2, 2013, managing the group’s financial accounts and actively participating in political and legislative processes on behalf of its members.

In addition to his duties at the WV AFL-CIO, Sword is a former member of the PEIA Finance Board and serves on the board of the United Food Operation and has been Secretary-Treasurer for twin arms of the WV AFL-CIO, HRDF, a non-profit organization that provides low-income housing for West Virginia’s seniors and disabled, and HRDF, a non-profit organization that provides tools for disadvantaged individuals to succeed in the workplace.

Prior to joining the leadership of the WV AFL-CIO, Sword worked for the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia from 1999 to 2012. He began his 13-year career with the AFT-WV as benefits coordinator and eventually transitioned to political director. During his tenure, Sword helped develop and coordinate a campaign that allowed for 17,000 teachers and service personnel to transfer from a defined contribution plan to a defined benefit retirement plan, essentially guaranteeing those educators a pension upon retirement.

During his stint at AFT-WV, Sword was a member of CWA Local 2001. As Secretary-Treasurer of the WV AFL-CIO and now President, he is a member of LIUNA (Laborers') Local 1353.

“Sword believes that working families deserve a voice in the workplace and that the union contract is key to a prosperous middle class. Union roots run deep in his family; his father retired as a member of the elevator constructors union and his grandfather was a union ironworker.”

“The WV AFL-CIO’s 40-page constitution can be boiled down into one goal: to make life better for workers and their families. And that is my motto as president,” he said.

Andy Walters, a member of the International Painters Union and a resident of Wheeling, was elected Secretary-Treasurer during the West Virginia AFL-CIO’s Constitutional Convention in October 2017. He replaced UMWA member Joe Carter, who filled the unexpired Secretary-Treasurer term Sword was serving prior to being appointed President.

After working as a tradesman with IUPAT Construction for nearly 30 years, Walters became the business representative for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 53 in January 2014. He was responsible for providing leadership and direction within the local union’s jurisdictions, including recruitment and retention; protect bidding; apprenticeship and training; political activities; and financial management and organizing.