This Labor Day weekend is a great opportunity to take a break, relax, and reflect on the accomplishments of working people across the country. But within the labor movement, the break will be brief, because worker organizing across the United States is rapidly building momentum, and support of unions continues to rise.
“This week, the national Gallup Poll showed approval of unions in our country has risen to 71 percent, the highest it’s been in nearly 60 years and a full 10 percentage points higher than it was just five years ago,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “Workers in all fields are fed up with decades low wages, unsafe workplaces, unaffordable health care, and a lack of respect and dignity on the job.
“More and more, working people are realizing that when they have the freedom to join together to negotiate a fair return for their work, they win the power and voice they need to level the playing field.”
That’s why Congress must pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, noted West Virginia AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters.
“The PRO Act will repair many of our country’s damaged labor laws and give working families a fair shot at success,” Walters said. “And Congress will have the public’s support. People are finally seeing through the corporate special interests and billionaire CEOs who for years attacked our fundamental freedom to have a voice on the job through a union.”
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 in the state, including the following:
West Virginia Mine Wars Museum Invites Dedications of Public Monuments
Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the UMWA Local Hall 2395, End of Coal Valley Road, off Hwy 17, Clothier, WV 25183
Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at the George Buckley Community Center, 8505 MacCorkle Ave, Marmet, WV 25315
Contact: (304) 691-0014
Marion County AFL-CIO, Marion County Democrats and UMWA Labor Day Celebration and Picnic
Sunday, Sept, 4, 2022, noon to 4 p.m.
Hough Park, Mannington WV
Special Guests: UMWA President Cecil Roberts & Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson
Contact: Mark Dorsey, 304-777-7642, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
United Mine Workers of America 84th Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.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. 5, 2022, 1 p.m. (noon lineup at South End of town)
Free Jimmy Fortune Concert, 7:30 p.m. (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)
Contact: BB Smith, 304-545-7781, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marmet City Labor Day Parade – Kanawha Valley Labor Council, AFL-CIO, a participant
Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, Meet 9 a.m. at Marmet Elementary School
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.