The state AFL-CIO informed West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey of their intent to sue in a letter dated May 5. Such a letter is required by West Virginia law 30 days prior to a suit being filed against the state.
The locals planning to file suit are Wheeling Local 141, Huntington Local 317, Charleston Local 466, Clarksburg Local 596 and Parkersburg Local 968. Cumberland, Md., Local 307, which has jurisdiction in parts of West Virginia, also will be a plaintiff. Other parties filing the advance notice are the West Virginia State Building & Construction Trades Council; United Mine Workers of America; and Teamsters Local 175 in Charleston.
“They fast tracked this and drafted a real shoddy bill,” said Dave Efaw, a former Charleston Local 466 business manager who is now secretary/treasurer of the state’s building trades. “That’s why we’re finding mistakes.”
