Press Release Archives

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.”

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. “But as we celebrate, and look to the future, it is important to honor the union members who came before us and fought for the 8-hour workday, safety protections and more -- essentials that we take for granted now.”

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, in 2024, 70 percent of Americans approve of labor unions.

“The vast majority of Americans have come to realize unions are the single best tool we have to right back against the historic inequity and corporate greed,” Walters said. “Across the country on this Labor Day, working people are standing up, speaking out and writing a new chapter with hope for a brighter future that includes access to good, sustainable jobs.”

The following are Labor Day events taking place this weekend:

The West Virginia AFL-CIO notes with great sadness the passing of former Harrison County Delegate and steadfast friend of working families Ron Fragale.

“Delegate Fragale was the perfect example of a statesman who acted solely in the best interest of his constituents, especially the workers who most needed a voice in the West Virginia Legislature,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said.

On July 31, 2024 Teamster members at River Oaks in Clarksburg WV, a CommuniCare nursing home facility, voted by approximately 93% to reject the Company’s final offer and authorize a strike.

The union workforce has sent a message that the Company’s final offer fails to address the fundamental lack of respect shown to them.  Some employees pay well over 50% of their health insurance premiums for substandard coverage that does not include WVU Medicine in its network.  The Company’s final wage proposal does little to overcome the health insurance cost or bring many of the employees to a livable wage.  Employees regularly must work 16-hours because the facility is so short staffed.

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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.

“This Labor Day weekend, as we celebrate the working families of our country, especially here in West Virginia, we are also thankful that unions continue to enjoy the support of the public,” WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said.

CHARLESTON – Unions representing public employees will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, in front of the House of Delegates chamber entrance to discuss legislation that would make sweeping changes to insurance coverage for 230,000 PEIA plan participants.

Senate Bill 268 will trigger a 26 percent increase in employee premiums for state participants; penalize public employees that are married; potentially lead to the exclusion of local police, firefighters and emergency services employees from PEIA; and create even more uncertainty regarding the status of retirees participating in PEIA. The legislation passed the Senate and is currently being considered by the House of Delegates with a little more than a week left in the regular 2023 legislative session. 

WHAT:  Press conference discussing impact of PEIA legislation
WHEN:  10 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2023
WHERE:  Front of House of Delegates chamber entrance, East side of the Capitol