The West Virginia AFL-CIO has a new secretary-treasurer.
The labor organization announced Wednesday the election of Josh Sword as the new secretary-treasurer.
During a meeting in Charleston Tuesday, the group’s executive board voted unanimously to appoint Sword to the position to fill the unexpired term of long-time Secretary-Treasurer Larry Matheney. Matheney is scheduled to officially retire on December 31st.
Sword has worked for the state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers for the past 13 years and while serving as political director for AFT-WV, he effectively lobbied the WV legislature on education, insurance and retirement issues.
Sword also developed and coordinated political campaigns for local and statewide candidates, coordinated the activities of AFT-WV’s political action committee and helped AFT-WVs locals establish a political presence in their counties through the establishment of local COPEs.
Sword will officially begin his duties as as secretary-treasurer on January 1 of next year.