UMWA announces tentative agreement reached with BCOA

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts announced today that a tentative agreement has been reached between the UMWA and the Bituminous Coal Operators Association (BCOA) for a new, five-year agreement that would become effective January 1, 2007.

"This agreement is the culmination of months of work," Roberts said. "There were significant hurdles to overcome, especially in the area of pensions, retiree health care and wages. However, the parties were able to overcome those obstacles and hammer out an agreement."

Roberts said that the passage of the Abandoned Mine Land Fund reauthorization and its provisions for funding the UMWA retiree health plans by Congress last week was an "immense help" in bridging the gaps between the parties.

Rank and file ratification of the tentative agreement will take place by a secret ballot vote on Dec. 21. As required by UMWA Constitution, Local Union contract explanation meetings will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19, two days prior to the ratification vote. Details of the tentative agreement will not be released publicly until after the ratification vote.