The Kentucky Labor Day Town Hall was held virtually on September 7 because of COVID 19, the virus that has now infected 58,000 Kentuckians and killed more than 1,000 of our friends and neighbors. COVID 19 is also devastating our economy. Nearly 40% of KY workers have applied for unemployment, the highest rate in the country. Meanwhile the US Senate has failed to act on additional relief, instead letting emergency unemployment payments and other COVID relief benefits expire. At the Town Hall we hear from Kentucky workers, union leaders, experts and policy makers who call on Congress to provide the federal aid that workers, their families and their communities need during this crisis. McKenzie Cantrell, KY State Representative from Louisville is the host of the Labor Day Town Hall.

We end this show with Elaine Purkey singing her song “America, Our Union” from the Appalshop film “Justice in the Coalfields, which covered the Pittston coal strike. Elaine, a singer, songwriter, and community organizer from Logan County, WV died on Sept. 2 at the age of 71 from COVID 19.

#FederalAid4KY