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  • THE BEVERAGE MARKET MAKING MOCKERY OF NEGOTIATIONS
  • Teamsters at The Beverage Market Unanimously Reject Concessionary Offer
  • Teamsters at Charleston/Logan WV Coca Cola Distribution Centers Reject Contract -- Strike is Looming
  • Ceremony Tuesday in Barboursville to honor WV workers who died on the job
  • WV AFL-CIO Re-elects Sword, Walters
  • Newly formed Education West Virginia to hold press conference today
  • Ceremony Monday to honor WV workers who died on the job
  • Press Conference Thursday on WV Federal Employee Job Cuts
  • Join a Labor Day Celebration!
  • WV AFL-CIO Mourns the Passing of Former Delegate Ron Fragale
  • Teamsters Overwhelmingly Reject Contract
  • Join a Labor Day Celebration!
  • Public Employee Representatives to Discuss Sweeping PEIA Legislation
  • Workers Will Rally for Fair Treatment at Italian Opera-Themed Tecnocap Celebration
  • Ceremony Thursday to honor WV workers who died on the job
  • WV AFL-CIO Holds 30th Constitutional Convention
  • Teamsters at Bluefield WV Coca Cola Distribution Center Reach Agreement for a New Contract Avoiding a Strike
  • Union members will rally Thursday to urge Sen. Capito to support PRO Act
  • Public Employees Launch Legal Challenge of Paycheck Bill
  • Workers Memorial Event | Wednesday, April 28th
  • Statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword on Sen. Joe Manchin’s Co-Sponsorship of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act
  • WV AFL-CIO: Gayle Manchin knows Appalachia
  • WV AFL-CIO: Legislative leaders using COVID restrictions to shut out public
  • Teamsters at AHF Products Ratify Agreement
  • The WV AFL-CIO celebrates Labor Day

WV AFL-CIO: Legislative Leaders Must Address Culture of Corruption

Details
June 20, 2018

The federal charges issued against Republican state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry today -- and the continued failure of the Republican leadership to take action to remove him from office -- points to an ongoing culture of corruption among those in control of the Legislature, West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. 

“Just like Justice Loughry, these Republican leaders don’t think the rules apply to them, and every day we are learning of another corruption scandal as a result,” Sword said. “In just the past few months, we’ve seen a Republican delegate be forced to resign to avoid jail time and the mishandling of $150 million meant to go to flood victims.

“Hard-working West Virginia taxpayers deserve better.”

When fellow union member and Kanawha County delegate Mike Pushkin called for the Legislature to initiate Loughry’s impeachment during the legislative session, Senate President Mitch Carmichael told reporters it “may be the single dumbest most ridiculous political stunt that I’ve seen in my time at the Legislature.” He stated calling for Loughry’s resignation and impeachment had the feel of “a political vendetta.”

Read more …

WV AFL-CIO Endorses Candidates in 2018 General Election

Details
June 12, 2018

CHARLESTON – Members of the West Virginia AFL-CIO’s Committee on Political Education met on Saturday and selected congressional and legislative candidates for endorsement in the 2018 General Election.

“Nearly all of the candidates we endorsed in the primary won their races -- including Republican Bill Hamilton who with the help of strong labor support defeated the most vocal enemy of working people, Senator Robert Karnes – and we’re excited about the prospects for all endorsed our candidates in the General Election,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword noted. “Our members are energized more than ever, and eager to get out and support these candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, who are dedicated to advocating for fair wages, good benefits and a safe workplace.”

An endorsement by the West Virginia AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education follows recommendations from 13 AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils located around the state. The Central Labor Councils interviewed legislative candidates who complete a questionnaire on time, and consider an incumbent’s position on working family issues. To garner an endorsement by the West Virginia AFL-CIO, a candidate must receive a 2/3 majority of votes cast by the 75 members of State COPE.

Read more …

Pipe Trades Competition

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June 11, 2018

Members of the press and public are invited come to the Charleston Civic Center to see the best welders, pipefitters, sprinklerfitters and plumbers in the region compete during a free three-day event starting Tuesday, June 12.

“Apprentices in the Pipe Trades industry from West Virginia and surrounding states will be competing in five skill areas,” Brett Matthews, Director of Training, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 625 in Charleston, said. “The winners will advance to an international contest later this year.”

Read more …

Workers Memorial Ceremony Saturday

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April 27, 2018

WILLIAMSTOWN – The West Virginia AFL-CIO will hold a ceremony Saturday, April 28, at the Williamstown Welcome Center to remember the 18 West Virginians who lost their lives on the job last year.

“The unions of the AFL-CIO throughout the country set aside this day to remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives on the job,” West Virginia AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters said. “I am extremely saddened to report that we will be reading 18 names of West Virginians who left for work during 2017 -- whether at a stretch of  highway, a coal mine, a well pad, or an industrial plant -- and did not return home to their loved ones.”

Read more …

WV AFL-CIO Endorses Candidates in 2018 Primary Election

Details
March 26, 2018

CHARLESTON – Members of the West Virginia AFL-CIO’s Committee on Political Education met on Saturday and selected congressional and legislative candidates for endorsement in the 2018 Primary Election.

“We’re seeing a great field of pro-working family candidates in 2018, and are feeling very optimistic about this election,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “Our members are energized and excited about getting to work to help the candidates who want to lift up West Virginia working families by advocating for fair wages, good benefits and a safe workplace.”

An endorsement by the West Virginia AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education follows recommendations from 13 AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils located around the state. The Central Labor Councils interviewed legislative candidates who complete a questionnaire, and consider an incumbent’s recorded vote on working family issues. To garner an endorsement by the West Virginia AFL-CIO, a candidate must receive a 2/3 majority of votes cast by the 75 members of State COPE.

At the congressional level, the COPE Committee proudly endorsed current Senator Joe Manchin for the United States Senate seat, the sole statewide office on the 2018 ballot, and state Senator Richard Ojeda in the 3rd Congressional District primary race. 

The Committee took no action in the 1st and 2nd congressional districts, as well as in a number of legislative races. In instances of “no action,” the COPE Committee stands silent, and leaves it up to affiliates of the West Virginia AFL-CIO to determine which candidates to support in those primary races.

The COPE committee endorsed the following state legislative candidates:

Read more …

Delegate Caputo: Governor Justice should help resolve Frontier dispute

Details
March 21, 2018

House Minority Whip Mike Caputo today urged Governor Jim Justice to take action to help the more than 1,400 West Virginia Frontier striking employees in their effort to ensure job security and quality service.

“We are in the third week of this strike, and while these Communications Workers of America members have been bargaining in good faith, so far the company has refused to accept an agreement that would protect employees from layoffs and prevent the use of contractors and out-of-state people with questionable qualifications,” Caputo, D-Marion, said. “Governor Justice has the power to bring the parties together and try to find a resolution to this dispute.”

Caputo, who is United Mine Workers of America District 31 international vice president, noted this strike affects not only the 1,400 West Virginia workers, but also many thousands of customers, whose service is being compromised by Frontier’s job cuts and use of less qualified, out-of-state workers.

“This is about treating well-qualified West Virginia workers fairly so they can concentrate on maintaining and improving our state’s telecommunications network,” Caputo said. “Helping find a compromise that both sides can agree to should be Governor Justice’s top priority.”

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