News

(Charleston, WV) - During the past few weeks, AFT-WV locals across the state have participated in the Hoodies for Hope campaign. Hoodies for Hope is an AFT-WV effort to collect new hoodies to send to union brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Sandy.  In addition to collection efforts by the state AFT office, many county AFT-WV chapters have been collecting hoodies to send to their northern colleagues- particularly those in New Jersey- where the national AFT has identified numerous families in need.

On December 14th at the AFT-WV headquarters, AFT-WV leaders and staff (photo above)

 Charleston, WV – At today’s PEIA Finance Board meeting, employees were saved from the benefit cuts that were proposed for the next fiscal year. Only moments prior to the meeting, Governor Tomblin committed an additional $4 million to prevent these benefit reductions, which included huge increases on specialty drugs and additional out of pocket costs, penalizing the sickest and most vulnerable people in the plan. Despite this funding from the Governor, the PEIA director suggested keeping the proposed changes in specialty drugs, which would have increased co-pays from $50 to $85 on each

Tens of thousands of AFT members were personally and professionally affected by Superstorm Sandy, which devastated the northeastern seaboard of the US. In challenging times like these, the solidarity and support of the labor movement shines through.

From the beginning, the national AFT has been assisting in disaster relief efforts by donating and soliciting funds and lending volunteer support. Now it’s time for AFT-West Virginia members to help our union brothers and sisters in New Jersey and New York by participating in Hoodies for Hope, a hurricane relief campaign sponsored by AFT-West

McDowell County high school senior Trey Lockhart and WV House of Delegates member Clif Moore discuss the hope that Reconnecting McDowell has brought to the students and citizens of their county.

Check out the photo blog and article appearing in Education Week about Reconnecting McDowell and the wonderful teachers, school service personnel and students of McDowell County.

Deborah Cannada, the librarian at West Side Elementary in Kanawha County, is profiled by the national AFT as an educator making a difference every day.

AFT-WV member Christy Gill, an art teacher at Divide Elementary in Fayette County, is profiled on the national AFT website as an example of educators who are making a difference everyday. Watch the video below.

Christy Gill, an art teacher at Divide Elementary in Fayette County, is profiled by the national AFT as being a very special AFT member who has gone above and beyond—both in and outside the workplace—to help their students succeed, or to provide exemplary service to the public, or just to make their communities better places to live. Click her name above to read the profile.

Great things are happening at West Side Elementary in Charleston, WV! Watch the video and see how the local school system, AFT-WV, faith-based community groups and other organizations are coming together to make a difference.