Recent Press
- Statement from WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword regarding Senate Bill 841
- A statement regarding Senate Bill 841 to cut unemployment benefits
- Cutting Earned Unemployment Benefits is Wrong
- WV AFL-CIO devastated at sudden passing of former President Kenneth Perdue
- A statement from West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword regarding Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate
- Join a Labor Day Celebration!
- Ceremony Friday to honor WV workers who died on the job
- Teamster Members Unanimously Authorize Strike At Coke
- The PEIA Cost Shifting Bill (aka SB 268)
- Public Employee Representatives to Discuss Sweeping PEIA Legislation
- Union leaders’ statement on Senate PEIA bill
- Workers Will Rally for Fair Treatment at Italian Opera-Themed Tecnocap Celebration
- 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
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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:
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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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Members of the West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees (CORPE) will gather at the state Capitol for a breakfast on Tuesday, Jan. 30, to remind legislators of the thousands of retired public employees who are struggling to get by.
“Our pensions are stagnant and it’s been many years since we’ve had a Cost of Living Increase, while PEIA is underfunded and health care costs continue to rise,” noted CORPE spokesman Ernest “Spud” Terry. “West Virginia’s public retirees have been neglected for far too long.”
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CHARLESTON – Speaking on behalf of thousands of public employees, leaders from AFT-WV, WVEA, UMWA, CWA and the West Virginia AFL-CIO called on lawmakers to work on a long-term strategy to make salaries for state employees competitive with contiguous states.
“There’s a lot of unrest among public employees out there,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “We have a crisis on our hands within public employment. There’s anger, there’s frustration, and as a result, a real organic movement around the state calling for change.”
Union leaders credited Governor Jim Justice with starting the discussion this legislative session about pay raises for public employees -- including teachers, school service personnel, public safety and other state employees – but agree that the proposed 1 percent raise is not enough.
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CHARLESTON – Leaders from AFT-WV, WVEA, UMWA, CWA and the WV AFL-CIO, representing thousands of public employees, will hold a press conference 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the state Culture Center to discuss employees’ growing concerns regarding low pay and rising insurance costs, and the steps lawmakers could take to address what has become a crisis situation.
“State leaders have begun discussing possible pay increases for public employees, but there is conflicting information being circulated, and not all voices are being heard,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “This press conference will give public employee representatives – those who speak for teachers, school service personnel, public safety and other state employees -- a chance to lay all the issues on the table.”
The press conference is being held in conjunction with the West Virginia AFL-CIO’s annual Legislative Conference, which runs from Jan. 24 through Jan. 25, 2018.
WHAT: Public Employee Press Conference
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018
WHERE: West Virginia Culture Center, WV Capitol Complex