CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Secretary-Treasurer of the West Virginia AFL-CIO Josh Sword will soon become the labor group’s next president.
The WV AFL-CIO announced Wednesday Sword has been chosen take over for President Kenny Perdue who is retiring at the end of the year.
“I am continually impressed with Josh’s work ethic and drive in representing West Virginia workers and fighting for their rights to a fair wage, good benefits and a safe workplace,” Perdue said in a statement. “He has been an invaluable member of this organization and I have absolute confidence in his ability to serve as president.”
Sword has spent the past four years in his current position fighting alongside Perdue, the board and other labor leaders on behalf of working families in West Virginia.
“Fighting for workers and their families is what I live for!” Sword said in a statement. “The WV AFL-CIO’s 48-page constitution can be broken down to one goal: To make life better for workers and their families. And that’s going to be my motto as president.”
Longtime United Mine Workers leader Joe Carter will become the interim Secretary-Treasurer.
Sword takes office Jan. 1, 2017.