Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2025 will restore bargaining power to workers and support the pandemic recovery

WAGES HAVE BEEN STAGNANT FOR A DECADE Congress has failed for more than a decade to raise the federal minimum wage. While there have been some wage increases at the state and local level, the current federal minimum wage stands at $7.25. WORKER WAGES REMAIN AT 1963 LEVELS WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION In 1963, back when John Kennedy was president, the applicable minimum wage varied by industry between $1.00 and $1.25 per hour, and there ... Continue Reading »

Raising the Minimum Wage!

Here is an article from USA Today (Dated: December 31, 2020) where Twenty states are planning to raise their minimum wage in 2021 which may help struggling workers in an uncertain economy. —- Minimum wage set to rise in 20 states, 32 localities as growing number adopt $15 an hour With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, layoffs mounting and $2,000 stimulus checks for U.S. households looking highly uncertain, there couldn’t be a better time to bump ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “The repeal of prevailing wage rate was based on erroneous studies.”

Transcript

“The repeal of the prevailing wage rate was based on some erroneous studies, I believe. “The idea was sold…we’re going to be able to get five schools for the price of three. That simply hasn’t happened. “People in government make mistakes all the time. The strength is recognizing that after a few years, this didn’t work. We better revisit it and correct it, ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “Out of town contractors don’t benefit this community.”

Transcript

“Out-of-town contractors don’t benefit this community, don’t pay into the local tax base. They go home when their project’s finished. “I want you to imagine work being done by local people depositing money in the local banks. That money stays here. It doesn’t go to Columbus, Houston, Guatemala, “The sooner we can restore prevailing wage rate across West Virginia I think the better ... Continue Reading »

Congressman David McKinley: “I always used Prevailing Wage rate because I wanted skilled labor.”

Transcript

“The prevailing wage was set up years ago. I think it was the 30’s or the 40’s and what they were trying to do was establish a fair wage based on the average wage paid to people in certain classifications, whether a carpenter, electrician, a plumber, or a laborer. So they’re trying to establish something that was fair. “I always used prevailing wage rate because I ... Continue Reading »

The Step up for women program is helping to close the gender gap

In West Virginia, good-paying jobs are not plentiful. Add the gender wage gap that still exists for women overall, and the job market can look bleak for women in the Mountain State. The Step Up for Women Program from West Virginia’s Women Work organization aims to change that. Over this 12-week training course women learn the construction basics. And many SUFW program graduates continue their instruction through skilled construction ... Continue Reading »

Wage Stagnation in Nine Charts

West Virginia is going in the wrong direction like much of the country regarding wages and benefits. Our leaders need to value jobs that bring higher wages and good healthcare. Minimum wage jobs that don’t lift families out of poverty are not the solution. We need an economy that supports West Virginians who don’t just want to live in the Mountain State, but thrive. Learn more about wage ... Continue Reading »

Rural Mothers, Babies at Risk When Hospitals Cut Obstetric Services

Fewer good-paying jobs with benefits can contribute to rural hospital cutbacks and sometimes closures. Now more than ever West Virginians who want to start a family need good quality local healthcare options. Read more at USNews.com Continue Reading »

Mountaineers Are Always Free

…or are they?

We all love and appreciate the natural beauty of West Virginia – especially our majestic mountains. We call ourselves the Mountain State. We sing about our West Virginia Hills and our Mountain Mama. We proclaim that Mountaineers Are Always Free. On the flip side, our mountains often present us with challenges. Sometimes getting from here to there can be difficult – especially in bad weather. We may ... Continue Reading »

Apprenticeship Training

A Debt-Free Alternative to a Four-Year College

News reports are full of stories about young people burdened with crushing student loan debt. Celebrities are in trouble for their attempts to bribe college officials to admit their offspring to high-profile schools. Colleges are cutting programs to make ends meet, and many alumni are questioning the return on their hefty college investment. Amid all this bad news, many are overlooking ... Continue Reading »