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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.

“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.

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The West Virginia AFL-CIO extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of former Delegate Doug Skaff. 

“As both a tireless lawmaker and solid member of the West Virginia business community, Doug was a tried and true advocate for West Virginia working families who, regardless of partisan battles, never lost sight of the importance of treating all people with fairness and consideration,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “We are shocked and extremely saddened to hear of his tragic passing, and are keeping his wife, children and all who loved him in our prayers.”

WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters said Doug will be remembered for his easy-going nature and wit. “It’s not easy to stay level-headed in the world of politics, but Doug always kept his focus on community and family, and was a grounded, kind individual who will be greatly missed,” Walters said.

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CHARLESTON – West Virginia members of the Communications Workers of America will hold a press conference 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, to discuss the urgent need to begin a massive, $1.2 billion broadband expansion program that has been unjustly delayed.

“Thousands of West Virginians stand to benefit from critically needed connectivity, and this broadband project is all ready to go, but for some reason, everything is at a standstill,” noted Elaine Harris, CWA International Staff Representative - District 2-13. “This is too important to every aspect of our lives – our economy, educational system,health care availability, just general quality of life -- to be stalled.”

State and county commission representatives, including local officials whose areas would be affected, will join union members and others to talk about the need for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was only six weeks away from federal approval when it was stopped earlier this year.

  • WHAT: Press conference on the delay of the BEAD connectivity expansion program
  • WHEN: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • WHERE: Lower rotunda of the State Capitol Building (ground floor)

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WHEELING – To honor West Virginia workers who died on the job - 8 were lost in 2024 - the West Virginia AFL-CIO and three area Central Labor Councils will hold the 37th annual Workers Memorial Ceremony at noon, Monday, April 28, in Wheeling, WV.

“As we do each year, we will read the names of West Virginians who lost their lives due to workplace injury and illness, take a moment to pay tribute to them, and vow to keep fighting for the promise of safe jobs for all workers,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “So many of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths are preventable, yet workers and their families across the country pay the price for a lack of oversight with their lives and livelihoods.”

WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters noted, “In 2024, 8 West Virginians lost their lives while on the job. They worked for coal mines, in transportation, and the public sector -- our friends and neighbors, and they should have returned home safely to their loved ones.”

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CHARLESTON – Labor representatives advocating for more than 23,000 West Virginians who are federal employees and facing devastating job losses will be at the state Capitol Thursday to help bring awareness to members of the Legislature and others in state government. They will hold a press conference about the effect on these employees at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in front of the House of Delegates chamber.

“Just this week was another wave in a sea of cruel and irresponsible announcements coming from Washington, this time the loss of around 200 West Virginia jobs at the Morgantown NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) location as part of 10,000 job cuts within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” noted Dan Doyle, AFGE Local 1995 Vice President and WV AFL-CIO Vice President. “These are the people who serve our state veterans and seniors, protect our coal miners, guard our federal prisons, carry out critical medical research, assist West Virginia farmers and small business owners, and conduct disaster relief missions. These folks are absolutely not expendable.”