Joe Carter

Joe Carter was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the West Virginia AFL-CIO in January 2017.

Joe has 40 years in the mining industry as an underground coal miner and UMWA representative. He is a fourth generation coal miner in his family.

He is a member of Local Union 5770 where he has served on the mine committee, safety committee, and held the position of president.

Joe started working for District 29, United Mine Workers of America in 1992 as an executive Board Member, he served in that position until the merging of District 29 into District 17, which took place in July, 1996, he then served as an Executive Board Member for District 17 until July 2001.

In May, 2001 Joe was elected as President of District 17 and began serving in that capacity in July, 2001. In January, 2005 he became the International Vice president of the UMWA, District 17.

Joe is a member of the West Virginia Energy Task Force, and serves on the West Virginia Coal Forum. 

Joe is a resident of Raleigh County, living in Stanaford, WV with his wife Becky. They have two children, son Matt, daughter Stephanie, grandson Cooper.