News

AFT-WV’s initial strategy to seek relief for our members at the local level via the grievance procedure continues.  After the Circuit Court basically affirmed our legal opinion that the Governor has the constitutional authority to implement safety measures via the color-coded school map during a state of emergency, we have sought to remedy various COVID-19 related concerns using this venue.

The quick resolution of the first three grievances filed in Kanawha County (all to the members’ satisfaction by lowering class sizes to permit social distancing) has led AFT-WV to continue to utilize the

The 2022 AFT-WV Convention is approaching! This year's event will be held November 10-12 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV.

We hope you can join us for professional workshops, convention business, fellowship and more!

For full details, read the 2022 AFT-WV Convention Call.

Click here to register for the 2022 AFT-WV Convention.

In light of updated information and guidelines from the CDC, AFT has prepared the documents below for our members. Feel free to share with your colleagues or in your schools. 

Overview of Updated CDC Information

Covid 19 Vaccine Mythbusting

The AFT-WV COPE (Committee on Political Education) met via Zoom on July 9, 2022 and endorsed candidates for the 2022 General Election. Endorsements are made based on voting records (if applicable) and/or questionnaire answers related to education issues only. 

Click here for the list of AFT-WV endorsed candidates. 

Delegates to the 2021 AFT-WV Convention, held November 4-6 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, elected the union’s leadership to serve for the next three years.

Re-elected as officers of AFT-WV were: AFT-WV President Fred Albert from Kanawha County, AFT-WV Vice-President Tega Toney from Fayette County, AFT-WV Treasurer Sam Brunett from Monongalia County, and AFT-WV Secretary Angie Turkelson from Putnam County.

Elected to the AFT-WV Executive Board as members at large were:

Justin Altizer

Lynneia Atkinson

Andy Bird

Meg Britt

Greg Cruey

Rick Cutlip

Bridget Davis

John Foley

Josh Gary

Amy Neal

Carrena

The WV Supreme Court of Appeals has issued an unfavorable decision and reversed the Circuit Court order of June 16, 2021, and dissolved the existing preliminary injunction. This case has been remanded to the Circuit Court of Kanawha County for further proceedings.

Any members in counties still utilizing payroll deduction of union dues should immediately sign up for edues to continue their union membership.  Sign up at http://wv.aft.org/join-union/e-dues-information-how-join-aft-wv.

Here's the latest: 

 What happened in court on June 14?

             On June 14, Circuit Judge Tera Salango put a halt to a new state law that forbids employers from deducting union dues from public employees’ paycheck,  ruling that “I do find and believe the petitioners will suffer irreparable harm without this injunction.”

“The governor and many members of the Legislature have not hidden their dislike for the labor unions. There have been open attacks on the unions in the media, and they are welcome to criticize who ever they please but when a law is passed that treats a certain group

AFT-WV begins the year with two new additions to the AFT-WV staff. Welcome Rob and Josh, the newest members of our team!

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Rob Casto will serve as the new political director for AFT-WV. Rob brings a wealth of experience to this role, including legislative staff experience as both an assistant to a previous finance chairman and a previous house speaker. Rob has vast lobbying experience and has represented dozens of corporations, non-profits and other clients over the past few decades. Rob is a lifelong Charleston resident and enjoys golf, fishing, kayaking, motorcycling, and all things outdoors

AFT-WV, AFT, and First Book Host Book Giveaway for 750 students 

"We’re just excited for the kids. It’s their book, we tell them to put their name in it and obviously we are very, very passionate about reading and we feel that students, the bottom line is they learn to read by reading, ….Let’s face it, sometimes socioeconomic issues prevent children from owning books. So this is a small gesture from our national [office] to hopefully get a book in a kid’s hands,” Caputo said.

Read the full article at : https://www.timeswv.com/news/local_news/750-rivesville-students-receive-books-from-national

Members across the state aren't letting the abolishment of payroll deduction extinguish their professional voice!

They're signing up for e-dues to remain a union member and fight for public education.