CHARLESTON, W.Va. - About 30 members of a state workers' union rallied against what they called unfair pay and the privatization of jobs Saturday, within earshot of the Governor's Mansion.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - About 30 members of a state workers' union rallied against what they called unfair pay and the privatization of jobs Saturday, within earshot of the Governor's Mansion.
Members of UE Local 170 gathered on the Capitol steps to call for better wages and benefits before marching down Kanawha Boulevard to their union hall.
They said workers need a living wage, merit raises, more flexible schedules and seniority rights. They want Gov. Joe Manchin and state legislators to raise salaries, which they say are some of the lowest in the county.
They called for a minimum wage of not less than $10 per hour or $20,000 per year.
"It's hard to stay positive when you're not being paid fairly," said Butch Tritt, who leads a local chapter of Division of Highways workers. "We all know the state wastes more money than it would take to fix the wage problem."
State workers are also concerned about privatization of work previously done by state employees.
Though Manchin says he does not plan to privatize DOH, union members say more jobs are going to private contractors. Also, DOH heavy equipment is being sold at auction, which workers say would leave them unprepared for an emergency.
"I just hope it doesn't flood any place in West Virginia," said Mark Davis, another DOH union leader. "The governor will have to call his private construction companies to do the work DOH once did."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - About 30 members of a state workers' union rallied against what they called unfair pay and the privatization of jobs Saturday, within earshot of the Governor's Mansion.
Members of UE Local 170 gathered on the Capitol steps to call for better wages and benefits before marching down Kanawha Boulevard to their union hall.
They said workers need a living wage, merit raises, more flexible schedules and seniority rights. They want Gov. Joe Manchin and state legislators to raise salaries, which they say are some of the lowest in the county.
They called for a minimum wage of not less than $10 per hour or $20,000 per year.
"It's hard to stay positive when you're not being paid fairly," said Butch Tritt, who leads a local chapter of Division of Highways workers. "We all know the state wastes more money than it would take to fix the wage problem."
State workers are also concerned about privatization of work previously done by state employees.
Though Manchin says he does not plan to privatize DOH, union members say more jobs are going to private contractors. Also, DOH heavy equipment is being sold at auction, which workers say would leave them unprepared for an emergency.
"I just hope it doesn't flood any place in West Virginia," said Mark Davis, another DOH union leader. "The governor will have to call his private construction companies to do the work DOH once did."
The West Virginia Public Workers Union has about 900 members and six chapters, including workers in the Division of Highways, the Capitol Complex, Department of Health and Human Resources and state Parkways Authority. It is affiliated with the national UE union, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.
Chapter organizers said they were disappointed by the turnout, but were pleased by the enthusiasm of union members and speakers who attended the rally and the yearly UE 170 convention afterward.
UE's national director of organization, Bob Kingsley, attended the rally, stirring the crowd's enthusiasm as he encouraged the workers to take their fight to the ballot box.
"We've got a problem in Washington and we've got a problem in Charleston," Kingsley said. "You can't ignore that this fall we have a chance to do something about it."
The union does not endorse a specific candidate or party, but encourages its members to vote on the issues. The union wants members to work on public awareness about the wage conditions and fight ideas that state workers want more money for less work.
Pavanne Pettigrew, chief steward for the union workers at the Capitol Complex, said the stereotype of the lazy State workers simply is not true.
"All we're asking is that West Virginia do right by us," she said.
Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.
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The state workers and the union has rallyed. Protested and handed out fliers. and has not accomplished nothing. Now the next step is picketing, work stopage and strike. If you are not willing to take it that far then you are powerless as a union.
Even the UMWA represents WV state workers now, about 100, but they have their hands so full getting abused by the coal industry, that this do nothing union steps in and represents UMWA members rather than let them get abused by the system too.
Organized work shop employees everywhere have the power to solve problems, with or without the legal right to collective bargaining. People working together to solve problems have always had a profound and positive influence on the world. Happens every day. Some people just prefer to cause trouble instead of getting out and trying to help.
Leaders like these small groups of people know it is important to be active in the community to bring about change. What changes when we do nothing?
Real leaders at least try to make a difference.