(This article first appeared in the print edition published Feb. 28)
The new president of the Tri-County Council of Labor said the interest in organized labor in Henderson and surrounding areas is increasing and has been even before recent high-profile strikes involving auto workers, Hollywood actors and writers and more.
“A lot of people are living to work,” said Kevin Walton.
Some work 16-hour days, and some households have three or more incomes—meaning one person is working two jobs, or more, he said. That’s different than the past, when many households only needed one income, often that of a union worker.
“That’s why I think the union way is the way to go,” he said.
Walton took over as president of the local labor organization in December. He replaces John Coomes, who held the position for 16 years.
According to an Associated Press report, the number of striking workers nationwide climbed to 539,000 in 2023, an increase of 141% the previous year when 224,000 went on strike. Nationwide corporate CEOs and other leaders pocket massive paychecks and their corporations post impressive earnings.
“All those record profits,” Walton said, “are really just unpaid wages.”
Though the divide between the ultra-wealthy and workers seems to be one of the drivers of strikes, striking is not a central push locally, according to Walton. Instead, he said educating people on the role of unions is the most important initiative happening here. Union officials each year spend a day at regional high schools making a history of unions presentation to students.
He said another top priority is educating workers already in a union or those interested in joining because a lot of misconceptions still exist about unions.
Specifically, the core values of unions need to be understood, Walton said. Through collective bargaining, the following can be negotiated:
• Wages
• Health care
• Retirement
• Workplace safety
• Other benefits, such as vacation and hours
“(Unions) give us a collective voice at our worksites,” he said.
Another of Walton’s key points is that unions help raise wages for all employees in an area, not just those who are members of a union.
If a union, through collective bargaining, can improve wages and benefits at one business or industry, then other non-unionized businesses must at least remain competitive or its workers will leave, he said.
“We want to create a win-win situation,” Walton said. “I prefer all parties win if we can.”
Walton takes over for John Coomes, who was the Tri-County Council of Labor president for more than 15 years.
Additionally, Walton becomes the first African American to step into the council’s president spot. He didn’t elaborate much on that, but instead pointed out the number of other leadership positions he’s had through the years, including Kentucky AFL-CIO recording secretary, Amalgamated U.S. Steelworkers Local human rights coordinator and rapid response coordinator, United Steelworkers district 8 legislative agents and more. He said wearing all those hats has led him to the position.
The Tri-County Council of Labor, which includes Henderson, Webster, Union and now Hopkins counties, meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Operating and Engineers Hall Local 181 at 700 N. Elm St.
