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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United Food Operation, Inc. will kick off its 38th annual drive to collect food during the next 12 weeks for area food pantries with an event 12 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2019 at its distribution center in Institute.
“Because the federal government shutdown is affecting food stamp distribution, West Virginia families, including children and the elderly, who are dependent on that assistance will need food pantries more than ever,” UFO Chair Elaine Harris said. “And that makes our mission even more urgent.”
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United Mine Workers of America, District 31 will be holding the 50th annual memorial service for the victims of the Farmington #9 Disaster on Sunday, November 18, 2018. The service will be held at the #9 Memorial site in Mannington, West Virginia beginning at 1:00 PM.
UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts will be the keynote speaker.
“On the 50th Anniversary of the Explosion, as we honor the 78 miners who perished in the Farmington #9 Disaster, we must understand that fifty years does not wash away the pain of losing a husband or fill the void left at the passing of a father or family member. There is no amount of time that can heal such deep wounds. But we do need to take some solace in the fact that these brave miners did not die in vain. Because of their sacrifice and the determination of their families, thousands of miners and their families have been spared a similar fate. We owe much to these martyrs and their families. May God Bless each of them.”
– Cecil E. Roberts
UMWA International Secretary-Treasurer Levi Allen will offer remarks
UMWA International District 31 Vice President Mike Caputo will emcee the event.
Family, Friends and the community are all invited to attend. Because of the anticipated crowd at the service this year, parking at the site will be limited. Parking will be available at First Exchange Bank and Miller Hardware in Mannington. Shuttle service to and from the Memorial will be provided. UMWA staff will be available to assist individuals at the parking locations. Please follow the parking signs to access these locations.
What: 50th Farmington #9 Memorial Service
When: Beginning at 1:00 PM, Sunday November 18, 2018
Where: #9 Memorial Site, Mannington, West Virginia
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Governor Justice must think West Virginians are stupid. While dismissing as “rah-rah” a historic strike here that led to educators across the country standing up for fair wages and benefits, the governor held a press conference one month before the election making promises about things he says he’ll do months from now. Give us a break – everyone knows Mitch Carmichael and Bray Cary can’t be trusted.
Cleary Jim Justice doesn’t understand the scope and scale of PEIA if he thinks that one-time money is going to lead to a long-term fix for the fund. But what’s truly alarming is his mention of possible privatization. That would just be giving his fat cat CEO pals a pay raise at the expense of plan participants because we all know that when privatization happens, plan participants lose tens of millions of dollars in benefits in exchange for multi-million-dollar CEO salaries and golden parachutes.
Today was nothing short of a blatant diversion attempt to take attention away from all the chaos going on at the State Capitol. Jim Justice foolishly thinks he can mention just the possibility of pay raise in the future and everyone will forget the real reason educators and other public employees got any pay raise and a PEIA task force to start with: the brave souls who stood up and said, “Enough is enough.” West Virginia voters will not fall for it.
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As West Virginians enjoy spending time with family and friends this Labor Day weekend, the West Virginia AFL-CIO invites residents to attend one of the many parades and events honoring the achievements of America’s working people.
“This Labor Day, working people in every corner of the United States have good reason to be proud, but especially here in West Virginia -- the birthplace of a teachers movement for fair wages and benefits that has spread across the country,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “And as we celebrate the people who form the bedrock of our state and country, and the unions that fight for them, we’re also preparing for the important fights ahead.”
Immediately after the Labor Day celebrations, the West Virginia AFL-CIO will be kicking off its largest and most strategic political program to date.
“We’ll be crisscrossing the state, talking to working people about the issues that matter most: higher wages, better benefits, time off, a secure retirement and a fair return on our labor,” Sword said. “Working people are mobilizing and making our communities better for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
“When we support candidates who fight for the rights of working people, we build an America that works for all of us.”
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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.”