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As West Virginians enjoy spending time with family and friends this Labor Day weekend, the West Virginia AFL-CIO also invites residents to attend one of the many parades and events honoring the achievements of America’s working people.

“This Labor Day, let’s celebrate our working families, who are pursuing the American Dream and working for a better life,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said. “This also is a good time to reflect on how the labor movement has worked to ensure fair wages and benefits for so many in the middle class, both union and nonunion.”

Among the many events planned throughout the state, the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the West Virginia State Building Trades, AFT-WV and several local unions are sponsoring a Labor Day Weekend Celebration at Appalachian Power Park during the West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive game Saturday evening.

“This is a great opportunity to take a moment to consider what strengthens our families and communities, and what we all can do, through our own activities and our vote, to help people sustain a good living in this out-of-balance economy,” Perdue said.

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CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey has scheduled a hearing Wednesday afternoon to consider requests from West Virginia AFL-CIO and several other unions representing West Virginia employees who are challenging the so-called “Right to Work” law.

West Virginia AFL-CIO and the 10 others that have filed suit have asked that the lawsuits be combined into one, and that Judge Bailey issue an injunction to prevent the legislation, which was adopted during the 2016 regular legislative session, from being enacted.

“In addition to simply being bad public policy, this ‘Right to Work’ law generally violates the West Virginia Constitution’s prohibition of taking property without due process and compensation,” WV AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said.

Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall, who is also President of Teamsters Local 175, will likely be called to testify during the hearing, which will take place at 2 p.m. in Judge Bailey’s courtroom at the Kanawha Circuit Court building, 111 Court St., Charleston, and will be available for reporter questions.

What: Hearing on lawsuits challenging Senate Bill 1, so-called “Right to Work.”

When: 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10

Where: Judge Jennifer Bailey’s Courtroom, Kanawha Circuit Court Building, 111 Court St., Charleston

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It goes without saying that West Virginia families have taken it on the chin with the recent flooding that has affected many parts of our great state.  Some of our union brothers and sisters have lost everything, including homes, property and sentimental memorabilia that can’t be replaced. About 50 union homes have been severely damaged or destroyed -- at least one member has died in the flooding.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them!  

As the affected families begin the process of trying to put their lives back together, we want to do everything we can to help them.  Although there are many ways to help and many organizations stepping up to the plate, we feel it is our duty to set up a dedicated fund for our brothers and sisters and their families in the labor movement. That is why we are asking for monetary contributions to a newly established, tax deductible fund, set up under the umbrella of the WV AFL-CIO, designed to provide assistance for those in our union family, as well as to the monumental effort by IBEW local 466 electricians to help restore power to homes in the Clendenin area.  

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Members of the West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees (CORPE) will gather at the state Capitol Thursday, February 11, to remind legislators of the benefits owed to the thousands of retired public employees who are struggling to get by.

“It has been years since our retirees have been provided with a cost-of-living increase on their pensions, yet the state taxes the Social Security benefits and pensions of our retired teachers and public employees,” noted CORPE spokesman Ernest “Spud” Terry. “On top of that, retirees face the possibility of skyrocketing state insurance premiums that they simply cannot afford.”

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Polling conducted in the last several days by nationally recognized firm Public Policy Polling clearly shows that most West Virginians hold unions in very high regard and do not want lawmakers to pass legislation that would weaken them.

“Time and again, we’ve provided the facts that show ‘Right to Work’ lowers wages, leads to more workplace deaths, does nothing to attract quality jobs and inserts government in private employer/employee negotiation -- and the underlying reason for those outcomes is ‘Right to Work’ weakens unions,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said. “That’s the sole purpose behind the legislation. And that’s why these big companies, the Chamber of Commerce, and these wealthy out-of-state interests want it.”