Thousands West Virginians will travel to the State Capitol Saturday to celebrate Mountaineer Workers rising and standing together against legislative attacks on our working families.
“This is a chance for workers from throughout the region to come together in solidarity and speak up, in a unified voice, about the jobs and way of life we are fighting to protect,” WVAFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue said. “This is about educating our children, building our communities and improving the state’s economy.”
National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts and Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall will be part of a large delegation of labor international presidents and officers who will attend the “Mountaineer Workers Rising” event.
At least 40 busloads carrying thousands of people are expected at the rally, which will begin at noon on the riverside steps of the State Capitol.
“Efforts to loosen coal mine safety protections, bring down wages and diminish public education are threatening West Virginia’s future,” Perdue said. “We want to raise West Virginia up by ensuring a safe working environment, fair wages, and a well-supported educational system.
”That is the message we will bring to Charleston Saturday.”
Also scheduled to speak Saturday are:
- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
- Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President, National Education Association
- John Duffy, Vice President, Utility Workers Union of America
- Stanley Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, United Steelworkers
- Mark Federici, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400
- Steve White, Executive Director, West Virginia Affiliated Construction Trades
What: Mountaineer Workers Rising Rally
When: noon, March 7, 2015
Where: South Riverside Steps, West Virginia State Capitol
* While members of the media are welcome to circulate throughout the crowd during the rally, risers will be provided for a designated press area close to the featured speakers.