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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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WHAT:

Rally for IAM Local 598 members, currently on strike at Dow Chemical in South Charleston, as they fight for fair wages and benefits.

WHEN:

Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at 4 p.m.

WHERE:

437 MacCorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston, WV

The following is a press release from IAM District 54.

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Employees at Coca Cola in Beckley, WV voted to join Teamsters Local 175 early this year. After 5 months of negotiations between the TeamstersUnion and Coca Cola, the parties have been able to reach an agreement on a number of issues that would become part of a new contract. However, those negotiations came to a halt on Friday afternoon when the Company informed the Union they were unwilling to make any changes to their health insurance plan which includes outrageously high deductibles as well as co pays for the newly organized workers. To put it in perspective, the company wants the Beckley employees to pay 2-3 times more for a health insurance plan than other unionized employees in the State. Meaning those employees could be subject up to $12,000 per year of out of pocket expenses.