CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue released the following statement in honor of Labor Day 2014, before appearing at the Marmet Labor Day Parade and the 76th Annual UMWA Labor Day Celebration and picnic in Racine.

"Working men and women are the backbone of this country's economy. This Labor Day it is important that we take time to honor all those workers who fought for the rights and benefits we enjoy today. These rights weren't simply handed to West Virginia workers. They had to be fought for from the coal mines, to the steel mills, to construction sites all over West Virginia and this nation. As President of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, I have never been more proud to stand up for the working men and women of this great State."