Recent Press
- Teamsters at Charleston/Logan WV Coca Cola Distribution Centers Reject Contract -- Strike is Looming
- Ceremony Tuesday in Barboursville to honor WV workers who died on the job
- WV AFL-CIO Re-elects Sword, Walters
- Newly formed Education West Virginia to hold press conference today
- Celebrate Working People This Weekend!
- A Statement on the Passing of Former Delegate Doug Skaff
- Press Conference Wednesday Regarding Broadband Expansion Kickoff
- Ceremony Monday to honor WV workers who died on the job
- Press Conference Thursday on WV Federal Employee Job Cuts
- Rally in Support of IAM Local 598 Dow employees
- Join a Labor Day Celebration!
- COCA COLA: NOT TOO REFRESHING TO THEIR BECKLEY BRANCH EMPLOYEES
- WV AFL-CIO Mourns the Passing of Former Delegate Ron Fragale
- Teamsters Overwhelmingly Reject Contract
- Letter Carriers annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive Saturday
- Letter Carriers annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive Saturday
- Ceremony Sunday to honor WV workers who died on the job
- 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
- Details
To honor West Virginia workers who died on the job – 17 were lost in 2025 – the West Virginia AFL-CIO will hold the 38th annual Workers Memorial Ceremony at noon, Tuesday, April 28, in Barboursville, WV.
Teamsters at Charleston/Logan WV Coca Cola Distribution Centers Reject Contract -- Strike is Looming
- Details
After many hours of negotiation, Teamsters Local 175 members employed by Coca Cola Consolidated at the Charleston/Logan facilities in West Virginia voted today by 96% to reject the company’s final offer for settlement of a new contract and authorize a strike. The contract expires on April 26, 2026.
Three years ago, the parties struggled to reach an agreement in part because the Company’s insistence on transferring work from the bargaining unit to outside companies. The parties were eventually able to reach an agreement which helped protect the work. Now the Company is trying to unwind the Union’s ability to reach such agreements in the future.
“The members were very patient and worked hard to protect their work to which the Company ultimately agreed. Now the Company is attempting to back out of what was confirmed three years ago. It’s like Groundhog Day; every three years we must fight just to keep what we have. The Union worked hard to address legitimate operational issues brought up by the Company, however, its proposal to do away with work protection is punitive and only an attempt to add to its bottom line, off the back of our members. These members sent a strong message today that corporate greed will not be allowed from the members here at Coca-Cola.” – Steve Day, President, Local 175.
Local 175 represents approximately 100 Coca-Cola employees at the Charleston/Logan locations, which are under a single contract, and represents another 100 Coca-Cola employees at the Bluefield, Beckley, Parkersburg, and Clarksburg facilities.
- Details
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword and Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters were unanimously re-elected this week to four-year terms during the organization’s 31st Constitutional Convention in Charleston.
“I can’t describe how honored I am that West Virginia’s labor leaders continue to support my work as president of this great organization,” Sword said. “Unions and their members are on the front line, serving their local communities in many capacities every day, and because of that, lives are better for all workers and their families.”
Walters said he too is grateful to once again be chosen to carry on the WV AFL-CIO’s mission of advocating for worker rights.
- Details
The co-presidents of the state's newest labor union will host a press conference to discuss the historic merger of AFT-West Virginia and the West Virginia Education Association, which became official on September 1st, and the next steps for the organization. WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword will also speak.
What: Education West Virginia Press Conference
When: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Where: Education West Virginia office | 1558 Quarrier Street. Charleston, WV 25311
- Details
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.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate ALL of us, in every sector of the economy. Our story is the story of America’s workers,” said West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword. “This Workers’ Labor Day, working people from every walk of life and every corner of America are speaking up about what we need to get ahead, build a secure future, and exercise our fundamental freedoms.”
WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters noted that once again, national approval of labor unions continues to rise. According to a Gallup Poll released this week, this is the fifth consecutive year that approval of organized labor has been in the 67% to 71% range, a level last reached in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“There is an undeniable energy across this country, and it’s driving historic organizing—more than ever in our lifetimes,” Walters said. “In hospitals, on college campuses, in restaurants, workers are taking on massive corporations like Starbucks, Amazon, Disney and Sony. They’re winning first-in-the-nation contracts, and the momentum is only building across the political spectrum.”
The following are Labor Day events taking place this weekend:
Marion County AFL-CIO & UMWA Labor Day Celebration and Picnic
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, noon to 4 p.m.
Hough Park, Mannington WV
Special Guest: UMWA President Cecil Roberts
Contact: Mark Dorsey, 304-777-7642, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Celebration of Labor 2025 at GoMart BallPark
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, 3:04 p.m., gates open at 2:00
601 Morris St., Charleston WV
Free tickets for union members and their families
A tailgate/cookout will be held from noon-2 p.m., 600 Leon Sullivan Way for union members & families
Contact: Fred Chandler, 304-561-4857, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Wvaflcio2025
United Mine Workers of America 87th Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, at 11 a.m.
John Slack Memorial Park, Racine, WV
Contact: Brian Lacy, 304-541-3948, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paden City Labor Day Parade – Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler, AFL-CIO, a participant
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, 1 p.m. (noon lineup at South End of town)
Free Live Concerts at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.
Contact: BB Smith, 304-545-7781, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
*Note: Additional entertainment will be provided Saturday through Sunday starting at 2 p.m. at Paden City Park.
Marmet City Labor Day Parade – Kanawha Valley Labor Council, AFL-CIO, a participant
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, at 10 a.m. Meet 9:15 a.m. at old Woody’s Goodies Store location
Wear your union apparel and bring your union banners
Contact: Elaine Harris, 304-541-7293, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.