Recent Press

Charleston, W.Va. - Across the country and here in West Virginia, thousands of people turned out over the weekend in support of Wisconsin public employees. Minority Democrats in the state Senate there are trying to stop a bill that already passed the Assembly and would take away most collective bargaining rights. Union officials here say that bill is part of an ugly pattern.

West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue says that the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs and the economic problems that started on Wall Street make it easy for some people to demonize the unions.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Organized labor will pay tribute to retiring U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller Friday. The West Virginia AFL-CIO will present Rockefeller with a Lifetime Achievement award during a special convention to prepare for election season.

“We’ve been fortunate to have had friends like Senator Rockefeller,” said West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue. “He’s given so much, not only to labor, but to the state of West Virginia we just want to say,’Thank-you.'”

Kenny Perdue was re-elected to serve a third, four-year term as the president of the West Virginia AFL-CIO at the group's convention in Charleston recently.

The WV AFL-CIO, formed in 1957, is the state's largest labor organization with 575 affiliated unions and nearly 80,000 members. The organization spearheads much of the political and ideological agenda for the labor movement in West Virginia.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue released the following statement in regards to the death of Marshall University President Stephen Kopp:

“With the passing of President Kopp, Marshall University lost one of the most dedicated Presidents and public servants in the history of the school.  Since his first day on campus in Huntington, Dr. Kopp proved to be a true friend of labor and working families, and for that I am grateful.  Dr. Kopp was an academic leader and a true leader in West Virginia. Today I, along with all of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, send my condolences to Dr. Kopp’s wife Jane, his children Adam and Liz, Marshall University, and the entire Huntington community. ” 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue released the following statement in regards to the indictment of former Massey CEO Don Blankenship:

“Over the years, Don Blankenship’s blatant disregard for mine safety and health laws resulted in the tragic and untimely deaths of 52 coal miners – including the 29 brave men who perished at the Upper Big Branch mine in April 2010.  Don Blankenship may have been a friend of coal – but he was certainly no friend of the coal miners who worked for his company.  Time and time again he chose maximizing profits over the health and well being of his employees - who are fathers, brothers, coaches, mentors, and friends across West Virginia. Yesterday’s indictment means we are one step closer to seeing justice served for the families who lost loved ones at Massey mines.”