Issue Position: Good Jobs

Issue Position

Historically, the experiences of West Virginia workers have set precedents for the way labor policy is shaped in the United States. Voices of the West Virginia labor force have resonated throughout the halls of some of the world's biggest corporations through organized union efforts. Our state has one of the most dedicated workforces nationwide, and the West Virginia worker sets the standard for ideal work ethic and performance. Yet, the current legislature refuses to acknowledge and represent the best interests of our state's workforce.

If elected, John's message to Charleston will be simple but effective: Respect and protect our workers and develop new businesses opportunities through innovation and collaboration.

"As a lifelong resident of Monongalia County, I have been lucky to have grown up around hardworking men and hardworking women. I didn't realize what kind of personal impact that would have on me until I entered the workforce.

"Having operated my own business as well as being employed by a large company, I have witnessed some of the frustrations of working in West Virginia. However, my experiences pale in comparison to the attack on the West Virginia labor force by the current legislature. I can assure you, I will stand by, protect, and defend the rights of each and every worker in Monongalia County and West Virginia."

West Virginia is in the middle of what appears to be a transition in focus within the energy industry. With the number of opportunities in Coal declining on an annual basis, the emergence of other opportunities within the energy sector do exist. However, we can not afford to put hardworking people's lives on pause while the legislature wastes its time considering hypothetical and irrational "solutions" to the labor issues that are currently affecting West Virginia families.

The solutions exist and the expectation is clear. We must work together, and Charleston must make our labor force a top priority in legislative discussion.

Check below to see where John stands on specific issues!

Right to Work is WRONG for West Virginia.

Right to Work is a decades old, union busting measure that has sadly made its way to the union proud Mountain State. Its proponents argue that it promotes job growth in both union and nonunion positions, while the facts say that not only does it not create jobs, it causes vast wage stagnation and increasing rates of workplace injury and fatality.

Though Right to Work is typically a hard bell to unring, and it will certainly be a fight to roll back the legislation, John is ready and willing to take on that fight.

And while we're on the subject of Right to Work, let's talk about prevailing wage. The prevailing wage was a set rate for a laborer's wages on public projects. It was the state of West Virginia's opportunity to set the important example that the West Virginia worker deserves an honest day's pay for an honest day's work. Sadly, this legislature didn't see fit to adequately compensate workers for the thankless and sometimes perilous job that they perform. Thus, the prevailing wage was repealed (at the protest of both the West Virginia worker AND the West Virginia contractor) and the interests and needs of our labor force were forgotten and neglected.

Reinvest in the West Virginia Workforce.

Benefits

PEIA: The Public Employee Insurance Association (PEIA) is facing massive cuts that will enact in January of 2017. The program has long been the biggest benefit to being a public employee in the state of West Virginia. Now, thanks to the erroneous inaction by the legislature Monongalia County teachers, service personnel, and West Virginia University professors and their families face a direct assault on their middle class lifestyle.

We must not only invest in PEIA for the sake of our current educators, but we must invest for the sake of our ability to retain highly qualified educators in the future. We must invest in the best and brightest teachers, so that they may continue to inspire our youth in the classroom and beyond.

Training

We must invest in training and retraining efforts. One way to do so is to pass a sector partnership policy, which 21 states across the country have already passed. If the intent of the federal Workforce Investment Opportunity Act is realized, others will follow suit. The policy would require that Regional Workforce Investment Boards convene local partnerships comprised of workforce development programs, community-based organizations, local employers and industry with the intent of developing a framework to address industry specific workforce needs. This framework would serve as a key strategy in developing a skilled workforce, and ensure that our training dollars are well spent in industries creating job opportunities in the Mountain State.

Future

Monongalia County is a hub for business and growth in West Virginia; however, that sentiment is not guaranteed. If our legislature and our workforce do not work together on further developing business partnerships and strengthening infrastructure, the future of our district's economic security is at stake. If elected to Charleston, John will combine his visionary mindset with the input of Monongalia County residents to ensure that our future is not only bright, but profitable.

Connect the dots in Mon County.

Monongalia County is home to a nationally recognized research institution in West Virginia University, one of global leaders in the production of generic pharmaceuticals in Mylan, and one of the best "American Dream" success stories in off price retail pioneers, Gabriel Brothers. At the same time, Monongalia County is home to artistic entrepreneurs like Andrew White, known best for his skill as a luthier specializing in acoustic guitars and Jamie Lester, a sculptor and visionary in his company, Vandalia Bronze.

With today's technology and the willpower of Monongalia County citizens, it is possible to revitalize the business culture in Monongalia County by developing programs that not only allow business leaders and job seekers to connect, but encourage investment and employment at the local level as our district is full of talent and resources.

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