Recent Press
- A celebration of former WV AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen's life Sunday
- A statement from Mike Caputo regarding the passing of Jim Bowen
- Former WV AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen Passes Away
- This Labor Day weekend, celebrate the momentum of working people
- A statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword regarding the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Ceremony Thursday to honor WV workers who died on the job
- 2022 AFL-CIO Convention - In Memoriam
- IUPAT DC 53 HOLDING PROTEST MONDAY
- WV AFL-CIO Holds 30th Constitutional Convention
- United Food Operation Food Drive Kickoff Friday
- A statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword on Senator Joe Manchin’s position on the Build Back Better Act
- IUPAT DC 53 Hosting Open House for National Apprenticeship Week
- Honor and Celebrate the Labor Movement this Weekend
- Teamsters at Bluefield WV Coca Cola Distribution Center Reach Agreement for a New Contract Avoiding a Strike
- A statement regarding the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
- Union members will rally Thursday to urge Sen. Capito to support PRO Act
- Teamsters at Bluefield WV Coca Cola Distribution Center Reject Contract
- Rally for Viatris/Mylan jobs Tuesday
- Public Employees Launch Legal Challenge of Paycheck Bill
- Josh Sword: West Virginia workers need PRO Act (Opinion)
- 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
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Thousands West Virginians will travel to the State Capitol Saturday to celebrate Mountaineer Workers rising and standing together against legislative attacks on our working families.
“This is a chance for workers from throughout the region to come together in solidarity and speak up, in a unified voice, about the jobs and way of life we are fighting to protect,” WVAFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said. “This is about educating our children, building our communities and improving the state’s economy.”
National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts and Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall will be part of a large delegation of labor international presidents and officers who will attend the “Mountaineer Workers Rising” event.
At least 40 busloads carrying thousands of people are expected at the rally, which will begin at noon on the riverside steps of the State Capitol.
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By Carrie Hodousek in News | February 16, 2015 at 5:48PM
CHARLESTON, W. Va – The snow and bone-chilling temperatures didn’t stop state-wide union workers from rallying against the prevailing wage law change at the State Capitol Monday afternoon in Charleston.
The Show Up and Stand Up Rally was led by Senator Minority Leader Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall, 02) who called for a public show of opposition towards many bills Republican leaders are moving this Regular Legislative Session.
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Hundreds of people packed the steps on the Kanawha River side of the state Capitol at noon on Monday to protest new legislation they believe threatens wages, working conditions and public schools.
Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, organized the “Show Up, Stand Up” rally. “It’s time for hardworking West Virginians to come directly to the Capitol and stand up to the West Virginia GOP’s attack on our hardworking West Virginia families. Your voices need to be heard,” Kessler said.
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CHARLESTON -- Representatives of the West Virginia AFL-CIO and its affiliates gathered today at the State Capitol to call for a stop to the attack on working West Virginians and their families.
“I’ve been told many times this week that this has been the largest public turnout in the Statehouse halls in recent memory, and that’s because these working men and women realize how this legislative attack will hurt West Virginia families,” WV AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said. “We’re working hard to help legislators and members of the public understand that.”
Of primary concern to the group are three pieces of legislation:
- Senate Bill 337 would enact a so-called “Right to Work” measure
“What some are calling ‘Right to Work’ or ‘Workplace Freedom’ is a proposed law that actually ties the hands of employers by taking away some of their rights and options in dealing with their employees,” Perdue said. “This legislation is often promoted as pro-business, when instead it restricts the options available to businesses, and infringes on voluntary negotiations between private employers and employees.”
- Senate Bill 361 would repeal the state Prevailing Wage
“The prevailing wage is good for local businesses and contractors, good for workers and encourages skills and training, the result being cost-effective, quality public projects,” West Virginia State Building Trades Director Steve White said. “A repeal of this would be disastrous: hurt local contractors, lead to wage cuts, fewer training opportunities, less people who have benefits, and more accidents on job – all that for no savings of taxpayer funds.”
- Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 2014 to establish Charter Schools
“This legislation contemplates creating a whole new system of schools despite the fact there is no public outcry for charter schools in West Virginia, and no evidence that academic achievement in charter schools exceeds that in regular public schools,” said Christine Campbell, President of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia. “Charter schools in other states are being criticized for financial mismanagement, lack of accountability and the failure to demonstrate academic improvement. Why is there such a push to enact charter schools when West Virginia already has in place laws to encourage innovation and mentoring within our existing school system?”
“We applaud legislators for examining every possible method to boost West Virginia’s economy and educational system, but each of us who spoke today – representing tens of thousands of West Virginians – truly believe these bills of concern would serve only to set our state’s economy back,” President Perdue said. “We urge legislators to focus their valuable time and energy on measures that will help West Virginia’s employers, employees and students succeed.”
*Attached are President Perdue’s remarks regarding Right to Work.
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Charleston, W.Va. - Karen Gorrell, an activist working to win back health-care benefits for retired Century Aluminum workers and their wives, visited Charleston Monday to protest the Ravenswood company's decision to stop paying their health-care benefits.
Gorrell was one of nine retirees and their wives who held signs in front of the federal courthouse in Charleston and the state Capitol. They later met with political leaders.