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Members of the West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees (CORPE) will gather at the state Capitol for a breakfast on Thursday, January 30, to remind legislators of the thousands of retired public employees who are struggling to get by.

“Retirees who are part of the Public Employee and Teachers retirement systems are dealing with undue hardships and will meet with Legislators to express concerns about stagnate pensions, and lack of tax exemptions afforded other Public Employees,” CORPE spokesman Ernest “Spud” Terry said. “West Virginia’s public retirees have been neglected for far too long.”

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Charleston – Today, representatives of the International Union Painters and Allied Trades District Council 53 joined elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators, and businesses representatives at the state Capitol as part of the 5th annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Led by the Value of Water Campaign, 1,000 organizations across the country work to raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water systems. 

“An investment in our drinking water and wastewater systems is essential to our national health, safety, environment, and economic prosperity,” said IUPAT Business Manager Dan Poling. “Clean water is life itself.” 

In recognition of “Imagine a Day Without Water,” IUPAT held a press conference at the West Virginia State Capitol with representatives of agencies in the water and wastewater industry, along with legislators, including Kanawha Senators Glenn Jeffries and Corey Palumbo. 

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Representatives of the International Union Painters and Allied Trades District Council 53 will join elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators, and businesses representatives at the state Capitol Wednesday as part of the 5th annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water. Led by the Value of Water Campaign, 1,000 organizations across the country work to raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water systems. 

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“As West Virginians brace for the consequences of yet another billionaire corporation taking steps to force workers to pay for years of placing profit above all else, the West Virginia AFL-CIO urges Congress to secure miners’ health care and pensions. As United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts has warned, Murray Energy’s bankruptcy declaration puts at risk pension and health care benefits for close to 100,000 miners. Congress should act quickly to ensure the pension fund’s stability. In the meantime, the West Virginia AFL-CIO stands ready to support West Virginia’s miners and retirees, who form the backbone of this great state.” 

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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. “According to a Gallup poll released this week, an ever-increasing percentage of Americans, 64%, approve of labor unions -- one of the highest union approval ratings Gallup has recorded over the past 50 years. And unions have polled even higher in West Virginia.

“Everyday working people know that unions force employers to offer higher wages, and unions have brought about workplace standards such as the 8-hour work day, paid vacation, healthcare benefits, overtime compensation, paid sick leave, pensions, maternity leave, and child labor laws.”

WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters noted another new report shows a direct link between a decline in union membership and stagnant wages and rising inequality.

“Most people see through the false promises of economic prosperity the giant corporate interests are selling as they spend hundreds of millions of dollars to buy politicians willing to push laws that weaken unions and hurt working families,” Walters said. “They see the very rich getting richer, CEO compensation has grown 940% since 1978, while the typical worker compensation has risen only 12%, and national union density has declined from about 25% to about 10% over the same period.

“We are grateful that people recognize that unions are fighting to change all that.”

The following Labor Day celebrations will take place Sunday and Monday:

Marion County Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic

Sunday, September 1, 2019

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Hough Park, Mannington WV

Featured Speakers Include:

UMWA President Cecil Roberts and UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Levi Allen  

Meet 91 year old “Rosie the Riveter” Anna Hess

Additional info contact Mark Dorsey: 

(304) 777-7642 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Workers United 863/ LIUNA

Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic

Sunday, September 1, 2019

11:00am – 6:00pm

Valley View Country Club – White Sulphur Springs, WV 

Additional info contact Peter Bostic: 

 (304) 667-3863 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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United Mine Workers of America

81ST Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic

Monday, September 2, 2019

11:00am – 4:30pm

John Slack Memorial Park, Racine WV

During this year’s September 2nd celebration, you are invited to participate with 

UMWA President Cecil Roberts and UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Levi Allen  

in a one mile march to reflect on the largest labor uprising in United States history,

the August 25 – September 2, 1921 “Battle of Blair Mountain” led by the UMWA.

President Roberts, Sec.-Treasurer Allen and others will start their march in Marmet,

and they will march 11 miles to John Slack Memorial Park in Racine.

Those that wish to participate in the one mile march must be at

John Slack Memorial Park by 11:00am on September 2nd  where you’ll be transported 

by bus to meet President Roberts, Sec.-Treasurer Allen and the others 

for the one mile march back to the park.

Additional info contact Brian Lacy:  

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / (304) 541-3948

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Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Labor Council, AFL-CIO 

Paden City Labor Day Parade

Monday, September 2, 2019 / 1:00pm 

(12:00 p.m. line up at the South End of Town)

“Free” 7:30pm Jimmy Fortune Concert      

(A former member of the Statler Brothers)

Brought to you by the Unions of the 

Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler Labor Council, AFL-CIO

and Gold Khourey & Turak - Attorneys at Law

Additional info contact BB Smith: 

(304) 545-7781 /  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Kanawha Valley Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Will participate in the City of Marmet’s Labor Day Parade

Monday, September 2, 2019 / 10:00am 

(8:30am line up at Marmet Elementary) 

Additional info contact WV AFL-CIO: 

(304) 344-3557 /  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.