Recent Press

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.”

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.

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:

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. 

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.