CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Labor Day 2016 comes at a time that could predate another shift in power at the State House, according to Kenny Perdue, president of the West Virginia AFL-CIO.
“I think that the people of this state, most finally realize that something has happened to them, that the evil axis is after them and wants to take their life away and I think that they’re madder than hell and I think they’re going to do something about it this election,” Perdue said.
Republicans currently retain control of both the state Senate and state House of Delegates after taking over at the start of 2015.
This year, that GOP-led Legislature repealed West Virginia’s prevailing wage, the set minimum for large state-funded construction projects, and implemented a right to work law, lifting any requirements for union membership as conditions of employment.
Labor organizations vehemently opposed both measures and are challenging right to work in court by arguing it amounts to an unfair taking of property. In August, Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey issued a preliminary injunction to temporarily block it.
In the remaining two months before the Nov. 8 general election, as the court challenge continues, Perdue said those with the AFL-CIO and other similar organizations would be talking to voters about “the enemy.”
“Bill Cole is the enemy and the rest of his leadership team,” Perdue told MetroNews. Cole is the president of the West Virginia Senate and the Republican gubernatorial candidate.
“You can either talk about it or you can do it and they have done it and they have tried to destroy the lives of many, including myself, and it is our objective to make sure we change that in November,” claimed Perdue.
For the weekend, though, Perdue said he was focused on celebrating West Virginia’s workers.
“Labor Day is part of our history,” Perdue said. “It’s a recognition of what the working people, you and I, have given to this state and it’s a recognition of what’s went on in this country, the strife that the workers have had to grow through and, while we’re not perfect, we recognize what we’ve given has made gains.”
The Labor Day Weekend events in West Virginia include the following:
Saturday, Sept. 3
Charleston – Labor Day Weekend Celebration at Appalachian Power Park
Gates open at 6 p.m.
West Virginia Power vs. Greenville Drive
601 Morris St., Charleston
Sponsored by the Charleston Building & Construction Trades Council, AFT-WV, AFT #4444, WV AFL-CIO, Kanawha Valley Labor Council, UMWA District 17, CWA WV State Council, West Virginia State Building Trades, UMWA Local Union #2286, Reconnecting McDowell
Sunday, Sept. 4
Mannington – Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hough Park, Mannington
Featured Speaker: UMWA President Cecil Roberts
Sponsored by the Marion County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America and the Marion County Democrat Party
White Sulphur Springs – Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Valley View Country Club, White Sulphur Springs
Sponsored by Workers United Local 863, LIUNA Local 1182
Monday, Sept. 5
Racine – 78th Annual Labor Day Celebration & Picnic
11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Featured speaker: UMWA President Cecil Roberts
John Slack Memorial Park, Racine
Sponsored by the United Mine Workers of America
Paden City Labor Day Parade & Evening Concert
1:00 p.m.
Parade lineup is 12:00 p.m. at the South End of Town
7:30 p.m. – A performance by Jimmy Fortune (a former member of the Statler Brothers)
Free Concert Sponsored by the Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Gold, Khourey & Turak, Attorneys at Law