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A Lifetime of Service: A Final Interview with “President” Roberts

[Editor’s Note: As Cecil Roberts’ tenure as International President comes to a close on October 29, 2025, the UMW Journal sat down with him to reflect upon his time serving the membership and his outlook for the future of our Union.]

 

UMW Journal:

You were first elected to office as Vice President of District 17 in 1977 as a shuttle car operator coming right out of the mine. Did you ever think you would end up as International President?

Roberts:

I wasn’t thinking about that back then. The first day I walked into work as District 17 Vice President was also the day that thousands of miners went out on wildcat strikes because of issues with their health care. I jumped right into that fire, and once that was over, there was another fire and then another. It’s pretty much been like that ever since. You always tell yourself when you’re in a leadership position that, “if I can just solve this problem or deal with this crisis, then things will slow down.” It turns out that’s not true. Things never slow down, and the crises keep coming.

UMW Journal:

Why did you decide to get involved in union leadership in the first place??

Roberts:

I came home from combat in Vietnam and needed a job, so I went up the holler and got hired at Carbon Fuels #31 mine in Winifred, West Virginia. That was just after Jock Yablonski had been killed, and the union’s leadership was in serious turmoil. I was approached by some of the miners to run for the mine committee and safety committee, which I did, and was elected. I started to pay more attention to what was happening in the union and became a supporter of the progressive Miners for Democracy movement in our union. After a year or so, I was asked to come out of the mines and teach training classes to members. When that ended, I went back to the mine. A man named Jack Perry had noticed me. Jack was the President of District 17, and one day he called me up and said he wanted me to run for Vice President. I thought he was kidding at first, but he meant it. I ran and won.

UMW Journal:

You, Richard Trumka and John Banovic decided to take on an incumbent leadership in 1982. How hard was that decision and what was that campaign like?

Roberts:

It was a pretty easy decision. We put together an international slate in the US and Canada and ran hard. We thought we could offer some changes that would be positive for our membership. We traveled all over both countries going to bathhouses, lamphouses, local union meetings, picnics, breakfasts and dinners. You name it, and we did it. We spent a lot of nights driving from one place to the next. And you’ve got to raise the money from the membership to pay for all that travel or pay for it out of your own pocket. Campaigns get pretty intense. We got called all sorts of names and dealt with more than a few threats. That wasn’t easy for us or our families. But we kept at it, got the nominations we needed to get on the ballot. And then we won the election.

UMW Journal:

The labor movement nationwide was on a downward slide when the UMWA decided it had to take on Pittston Coal in 1989. You landed in the leadership role of that strike and led the struggle that became a resounding victory for our union and all of labor.

Roberts:

Pittston had refused to agree to the national contract because they didn’t want to pay for retiree health care or into the pension plan any longer. We said, “oh, yes you are.” When the contract expired, we asked our members to continue working without a new contract while we got them geared up to strike. After 14 months, they were ready. Pittston wasn’t prepared for what we threw at them. We engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience, blocking coal trucks, entrances to mines and prep plants, whatever we could do to keep Pittston from producing or delivering coal. Only one member crossed the picket line, and it wasn’t long before she came back out on strike. We occupied the Moss 3 prep plant for four days with 99 UMWA members and one minister and put 5,00 people in front of it to ensure the state police didn’t try to move in and arrest them. That was the catalyst, I think, for Pittston finally giving in and agreeing to a contract that included retiree health care and pensions. After the strike was settled on January 1, 1990, Pittston agreed to join with the UMWA and asked the judge to drop $64 million in fines. Judge Donald McGlothlin agreed to drop the $12 million that was earmarked for the company but refused to eliminate the balance of $52 million, which was to be paid to the state and two counties in southwest Virginia. A Virginia Court of Appeals later threw out the fines, but the Virginia Supreme Court reinstated them in order to maintain “the dignity of the law and public respect for the judiciary.” The UMWA took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 1993, the federal Justice Department asked the high court to uphold the fines, arguing that reversing McGlothlin would hinder the authority of federal agencies. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reversed the judge on June 30, 1994, and that was a tremendous victory for the UMWA.

UMW Journal:

The success of that strike changed a lot of things, didn’t it?

Roberts:

First of all, the Pittston strike showed that union members and their families, acting in solidarity and with a singular purpose, could take on a large company and win a strike. It had been a while since that had happened. That led to a rebound in labor’s image and interest in organizing. Secondly, and very importantly for us, all the attention the strike generated got the federal government to take a hard look at the need for retiree health care for miners. That eventually led to the passage of the Coal Act in 1992, which created a system where the federal government funded retiree health care for 107,000 retired UMWA miners. More than $34 billion has been transferred from the Federal Treasury to pay for health care and pension benefits of UMWA retirees since the passage of the Coal Act. But it was never enough to cover the needs of a growing number of retirees. We scrambled for 14 years to get sufficient government funding to pay for benefits, until we secured a safe and consistent source of funding in 2006. But just a few years later, we learned just how bad America’s bankruptcy laws were when it comes to preserving things like contractual retiree benefits and for that matter, all provisions of collectively bargained contracts.

UMW Journal:

You’ve called winning the fight to preserve retiree health care and pensions one of the proudest moments of your career. Why was it?

Roberts:

Well, I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of things during my career that I think were beneficial to our membership. I’ve negotiated contracts that included historic pay and benefit increases. I’ve testified before Congress and state legislatures to pass bills that preserved and created jobs and improved workplace safety for our members. People are alive today who would not be if it wasn’t for their union. And let’s be clear, I absolutely did not do that by myself. It took thousands of people; retirees and their families, active members, community members, religious leaders and other supporters throughout the coalfields to get this done. I may have been at the head of that army but if no one was following me, I would have just been going for a walk. This was something WE did. And we should all be very proud of it.

UMW Journal:

There is so much more we could talk about. Enough to fill up this whole issue of the Journal!

Roberts:

I could write a book. But someone else is already doing that.

 

UMW Journal:

What’s the future hold for Cecil Roberts?

Roberts:

I have been very fortunate throughout my career to be able to serve the members of the UMWA. Brian Sanson and the International Executive Board decided to appoint me to serve as a Trustee of the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds, so I am still in a position to help our members. I’m looking forward to staying home more and spending time with my family and especially my growing number of great-grandchildren. I’m okay with living at a little slower pace. But be assured of this: If you’ve got a fight, I’ll be there. I’ll march, I’ll speak out, I’ll stand side by side with workers in struggle as long as I can and as long as they want me to. And I’m going to support Brian Sanson as President of this union. He’s one of the smartest people I know, and he’s going to do a great job. He deserves the support of all of us, because he’s going to need it. The UMWA has always had great challenges to confront, and it’s no different today. I’m confident Brian can and will lead us through them, but he will only be successful with our unity and solidarity behind him. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the membership of this great union. You have allowed me to go around and raise hell for a living, and it’s been the best job a person like me could have. God Bless you and your families, and God Bless the United Mine Workers of America.

Retirees: In Memoriam Mike Veronis

The United Mine Workers of America lost one of its staunchest supporters during the devasting floods that roared through Wheeling, West Virginia in June. Local Union 1473 member Mike Veronis and his wife, Connie, who was a UMWA Associate Member, were lost that terrible evening.

Mike began his mining career on September 2, 1975, at the Shoemaker Mine in Marshall County, West Virginia. He briefly worked for the Blackville No. 2 Mine when he was laid off from Shoemaker. He returned to the Shoemaker Mine and retired on January 31, 2013. Brother Mike continued to work tirelessly for the union until his passing.

“When we heard the terrible news about Mike and Connie, our hearts were broken for the family,” said International District 31 Vice President Mike “Biggin” Payton. “There are no words when something like this happens. We’ve been in touch with Mike’s family, and they know if they need anything, the United Mine Workers of America will be there for them. It’s been hard for the community to deal with it because Mike and Connie were loved by so many.

Mike worked as an usher at every UMWA convention since his retirement. Whether it was greeting delegates or working registration, he was always there to help in any way he was needed. He worked tirelessly during the fight
for pensions and health care, making numerous trips to Washington, DC.

He walked the halls of Congress year after year fighting for what retirees had earned. He spoke to Senators and Congressmembers, attended a rally in the Nation’s Capital and attended other meetings and rallies across the country. He supported the union’s membership in Alabama during the two-year strike against Warrior Met Coal.

“Both Mike and his wife Connie will be missed deeply by their community, their family and all of us at the United Mine Workers of America,” said President Roberts.

“Mike showed nothing but hard work, dedication and unwavering support for the union during his many years of service. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working alongside him. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Veronis family.”

Brother Mike served many years on the Organizing, COMPAC and Pensioner Leadership Committees. When he wasn’t attending union functions, he also volunteered his time as a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1907.

“Mike was extremely involved with the members of his community, and he was always available for us, whether it was interviews, bus trips or conventions,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson.

“You name the job, and he was always there,” Sanson said. “He never complained or hesitated when the union needed his help. He was a life-long union man, and we will all miss his presence at the upcoming Special Convention in St. Louis. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family as they struggle through this tragedy.”

 

“BOTH MIKE AND HIS WIFE CONNIE WILL BE MISSED DEEPLY BY THEIR COMMUNITY, THEIR FAMILY AND ALL OF US AT THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA”

— CECIL ROBERTS

DOL Announces a Flurry of Deregulatory Actions

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) quietly launched one of the most sweeping deregulatory efforts in decades, advancing over 60 proposals that could reshape workplace rules across industries. Overtime and minimum wage exemptions and workplace safety oversight are being attacked.

The regulatory rollbacks are in response to President Trump’s executive order calling for federal agencies to rescind 10 regulations for every new one issued. The DOL Secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, announced the department’s deregulatory efforts would spur job creation and fuel economic opportunity for American workers and businesses.

“The union is very concerned with several of the DOL’s proposals. Workplace safety is one of the most concerning to our members,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson.

“I don’t know what this administration is trying to do, but it seems like they want to send workers back to a century ago,” Sanson said. “We have worked too hard and for far too long for the protection of miners.

“Our members work in some of the most dangerous environments and risk their life every day just to make a decent wage to support their families. On top of that, their health is at a much higher risk due to the increased cases
of black lung disease,” Sanson said.

“Now is not the time we ought to be thinking of rolling back protections that have been put in place for the health and safety of American workers,” Sanson said. “We should be moving forward, not backward. We have worked for years to get the silica rule in place and the implementation of that has been paused until August.

“Miners are contracting black lung at an alarming rate and many others have died,” Sanson said. “The union will not sit back and watch our members die. While we don’t yet know the outcome of the proposed deregulations, we
will be prepared to fight any reduction in safety laws that protect our nation’s miners.”

Bill Introduced – Protecting Striking Workers’ Health Care

UNDER THE BILL, EMPLOYERS WHO COMMIT THE NEW TYPE OF UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE VIOLATION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES.

U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced legislation to protect workers health care benefits and prevent retaliatory employers from using their power to cancel or alter health insurance for workers exercising their right to strike. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) recently joined the legislation, Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare.

While the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) establishes workers’ right to strike as a protected activity and employees cannot be fired for striking, they can, and often do, threaten to cut workers’ healthcare as a coercive silencing tactic.

The Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act would create a separate unfair labor practice category for when employers cut or alter workers’ health insurance while they are on strike or locked out and violators would be subject to increasing levels of civil penalties.

“We thank U.S. Senators Gallego and Baldwin for reintroducing the bill to protect striking workers health care,” said President Roberts. “When our members were on strike against Warrior Met for nearly two years, their
health care coverage was cut off.

“The UMWA paid the health care coverage for those members, but that is not the case for most workers who go on strike. We strongly support this legislation and urge Congress to pass it,” Roberts said.

Cutting off health insurance for striking or locked out workers threatens the health and wellbeing of workers, their families, their communities and has occurred in workplaces across the country. Under the bill, employers
who commit this new type of unfair labor practice violation would be subject to civil monetary penalties.

Kerr Scholarship Winners

The UMWA has announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Lorin E. Kerr Scholarship. Each of the winners will receive $2,500 for this academic year to assist them in meeting their educational goals. 

 

Parker Bowersox is the son of Local Union 1412 member Mike Bowersox and plans on attending Park Point University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a major in Civil Engineering.

“Labor unions are one of the most important assets that a worker can have, especially if there is an unfair working environment or conditions,” said Parker.

“The founding members of labor unions fought to give us the five-day work week, the eight-hour workday, minimum wage and child labor laws. My family members have belonged to labor unions throughout their working careers and benefitted greatly from their memberships,” Parker said.

Parker’s great-grandfather, grandfather and father are/were all members of the UMWA. Parker has received a merit scholarship from Park Point and is a first-generation college student. He plans to receive his bachelor’s degree from the university while also playing Division 2 men’s lacrosse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haven Tomblin is the granddaughter of Local Union 2286 member Kenneth Tomblin. Haven will be pursuing a career as a licensed physical therapist at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
“The financial assistance this scholarship will provide will be a tremendous aid in helping meet the financial obligation of college,” said Haven.

“Most importantly, it will assist me in helping others, including injured miners with traumatic injuries and neurological diseases, manage their movements, reduce their pain and live life to the fullest.”

Haven plans to stay in rural Madison after college and continue to volunteer in her community through Red Cross, local food pantries and support local youth athletic initiatives.

MSHA Releases Proposed Rule Change

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) moved to limit discretionary enforcement by district officials, citing legal and constitutional concerns. On July 1, MSHA released three proposed rules aimed to revise criteria for approving safety plans in underground coal mines.

The three proposals seek to amend approval processes for roof control plans, ventilation plans and related discretionary authority previously held by local MSHA officials, known as District Managers.

Current regulation allows District Mangers to impose additional requirements on mine safety plans that exceed the requirements outlined in federal regulations. The new proposals aim to eliminate that authority, citing legal concerns, such as exceeding MSHA’s authority, violating the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution and conflict with the Administrative Procedure Act by sidestepping the formal rulemaking process.

The proposals also include revisions to the process by which roof control plans are approved. By removing the ability of District Managers to impose unregulated criteria, MSHA aims to standardize enforcement for mine operators, arguing the revision will bring the rule in line with statutory and constitutional mandates.

Similar revisions have been proposed for the approval of mine ventilation plans, aiming to prohibit District Mangers from requiring additional plan provisions not explicitly supported by the regulation. According to MSHA, all three proposals reflect the agency’s intent to reinforce adherence to the Administrative Procedure Act.

“We support any efforts that enhance health and safety protections for miners, but the proposed rule changes do not do that,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson. “MSHA is arguing that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to mine safety is workable. But it isn’t.

“Everyone who has ever been underground in more than two mines knows that no mines are alike with respect to their conditions, even if they are in the same seam,” Sanson said. “Roof conditions are different, methane liberation is different, mine management is different.

“For MSHA to assume mines are all the same like some auto assembly line or other manufacturing process just demonstrates that the people who are in charge at the agency today know absolutely nothing about mining,”
Sanson said. “That needs to change.”

“We believe the Agency would be better served by requiring participation from the miners’ representative when developing these plans, rather than removing the District Manager’s ability to require additional provisions to protect miners, which is the primary purpose of the Agency.”

Victory for Miners in Estevan

ON JUNE 18, 2025, CROWN INVESTMENTS CORPORATION MINISTER JEREMY HARRISON ANNOUNCED THAT SASKPOWER WOULD BE REBUILDING ITS ENTIRE COAL-FIRED POWER GENERATION FLEET, INCLUDING THE BOUNDARY DAM PLANT, WHICH HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR CLOSURE IN THE COMING YEARS.

 

For eight years, members of Local Union 7606 in Estevan, Saskatchewan have been fighting to maintain their jobs at the Westmoreland Mine. The mine feeds the Boundary Dam plant, operated by SaskPower, which is currently the only commerciallyoperating coal-fired power plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in North America.

On June 18, 2025, Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison announced that SaskPower would be rebuilding its entire coal-fired power generation fleet, including the Boundary Dam plant, which had been scheduled for closure in the coming years.

Federal regulations regarding coal-fired power in Canada require that all conventional coal-fired power generation shut down by 2030. However, the Minister asserted the Saskatchewan government’s position that, constitutionally, electrical power generation is in the jurisdiction of the provinces and the federal government has no standing on the matter.

The workers at Westmoreland can now breathe a sigh of relief that their jobs will be intact instead of wondering how they will put food on the table and provide for their families. Financial Secretary Ashley Johnson, International Auditor/Teller Jody Dukart and the entire local union welcomed the news.

“I’ve heard about transitioning from coal for years,” said Dukart. “But it’s never happened.

“I’ve been telling anyone who would listen that there’s nothing here to transition to,” Dukart said. “The weather here can be minus 50 degrees sometimes. How is anyone going to survive if there’s no coal and nothing to transition to? This is a huge victory for our membership and for everyone in the community.”

“We’ve been working towards this since 2017. It seemed like no one would listen to what we were trying to tell them,” said Johnson. “Because the guys at the mine knew they were working on borrowed time, they would ask,
what should we do.

“I was honest with them,” Johnson said. “I said, you could quit, find another job and maybe get laid off so why not stick around here, make a good wage and see what happens. I guess they trusted us, and I’m sure glad they did.”

“I commend the work of Brother Dukart, Brother Johnson and every member working at the Westmoreland Mine for their determination to fight for their jobs over the last several years,” said President Roberts.

“No one wants to face uncertainty when it comes to providing for your family,” Roberts said. “The news that the Westmoreland Mine will remain open for years to come will finally provide some security for our members. Their dedication and will to fight for their livelihoods have paid off.”

Whether there will be repercussions to the announcement remains to be seen but for UMWA members of Local Union 7606, it has been nothing short of relief. “There was definitely excitement and relief not having to worry about retirement and what retirement would look like for someone who still is 10 or 15 years from it,” said Johnson.

For Dukart, he hopes for future expansion of CCS technology on power plants. If that were to come to fruition, there would be no reason to stop coal-fired power generation.

Hundreds attend annual Ludlow Memorial Service

Event Renamed “Bob Butero Ludlow Remembrance Ceremony” 

 

On June 22, 2025, the annual Ludlow Memorial outside Trinidad, Colorado, was attended by several hundred community members, UMWA members, descendants of the victims and representatives from various other unions. As always, Region IV Director and International Auditor/Teller Bob Butero emceed
the event. International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz, Secretary-Treasurer Sanson and President Roberts attended and spoke at the event.

“The United Mine Workers of America promised to never forget what happened on this sacred property over a century ago,” said International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz.

“It’s been 111 years, and we are here now honoring that promise. We are honoring the men, women and children who were murdered that day,” Dalpiaz said. “We say it every year, and we will continue to say it: We have not forgotten, and we will never forget.”

Dalpiaz asked the crowd to close their eyes and have a moment of silence in honor of those who perished that fateful day in April, 1914. At the conclusion of Dalpiaz’s address to the crowd, Brother Butero stepped to the podium and introduced Secretary- Treasurer Sanson. Sanson spoke of the sacrifices that the miners and their families made during the brutal strike in 1913-1914.

“Can you imagine workers, who just wanted a decent wage and safer worker conditions, had to die because of greed,” Sanson said. “Men, women and children were burned alive for standing up against a company owned by John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest men in the country. Brothers and sisters, today we remember their sacrifices to ensure this never happens again and to ensure better working conditions, not just for coal miners, but for all workers.”

Sanson then introduced President Roberts, who was greeted with roaring applause. Roberts began with a special announcement to all who attended the annual event.

 

 

“In honor of Brother Bob Butero’s 44 years of service and commitment to the United Mine Workers of America and in recognition of Bob’s contributions to maintining and honoring the Ludlow site, we are proud to announce that the service will now be known as the Bob Butero Ludlow Remembrance Ceremony,” Roberts said.

Roberts then read a resolution passed unanimously by the International Executive Board that officially names the ceremony the “Bob Butero Ludlow Remembrance Ceremony.” A banner was hung to commemorate the event.

 

 

”This renaming stands as a lasting tribute to Bob’s leadership, dedication and deep respect for our union’s history. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and everything you have done for the United Mine Workers of America,” said Roberts.

Brother Bob Butero has long been the backbone of the annual Ludlow Memorial Service, demonstrating unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of those who gave their lives for workers’ rights.

The UMWA, in a continuing effort to preserve the Ludlow site, has been sponsoring public input meetings in south central Colorado and northern New Mexico. The cause has gained the thoughts of union members and residents of the community on improvements and rehabilitation to the site, including perhaps modifying the existing facilities on the property and adding new ones.

“WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN, AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET.”

 

Brother Butero’s Retirement Celebration

On June 21, 2025, a retirement celebration was held for Brother Butero at the Miners Museum in downtown Trinidad. Bob started working in the coal mines when he was just 22 years old. Friends, family and co-workers were present to show their love and support for him.

Food and refreshments were served, memories were made and friends and colleagues reflected on moments they shared with Bob throughout the years. President Roberts, Secretary-Treasurer Sanson and International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz presented Bob with a special plaque. President Roberts read the inscription aloud.

“In grateful recognition of your 44 years of faithful and committed service to the members of the United Mine Workers of America, we are proud to present this token of our enormous appreciation to our friend and brother, Bob Butero.

“Your service to active and retired UMWA members has made the lives of thousands of workers and their families better.”

Both Brother Bob and his entire family were moved to tears. At the conclusion of the retirement celebration, all those who attended moved outdoors in front of the Louis Tikas statue for a group photo. Tikas’s statute was unveiled in 2018 and holds a special place in Bob’s heart.

“All workers should remember the sacrifice of martyrs such as Tikas,” said Bob. “The statue means so much to me. It has always been my mission to remind people of what we all have gained through the battle waged by unions and great organizers like Tikas.”

Although Brother Butero has retired, he remains as the Region IV Director and International Auditor/Teller for the UMWA. Congratulations, Bob, on
your retirement.

 

Retirees

INTERNATIONAL AUDITOR/TELLER EMERITUS

BOBBY BURCHELL

 

Robert “Bobby” Burchell began working in the mines for Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO) in Lingan, Nova Scotia, Canada in January, 1976. In December, 1982, he ran on the “Why Not the Best” slate with Richard Trumka, Cecil Roberts and John Banovic. It was a hard-fought election that ultimately led to victory. Brother Burchell was elected as an International Auditor/Teller and held the position until his retirement in 2016.

“Anyone who knows Bobby can tell you that just because he retired, didn’t mean he was quitting. I had the privilege of working side by side with Bobby for almost 35 years,” said President Roberts.

“He has been a wonderful friend since we were elected to office in 1982,” Roberts said. “It was a bittersweet moment when he informed me that he was going to retire. I knew his work was not done, because he works tirelessly each year on the annual Davis Day event. We all know how much time it takes to plan an event like that. I am thankful that I’ve had a great friend and union brother like Bobby.”

Brother Burchell works closely with the Miners’ Museum in Cape Breton because he understands the importance of the long and rich history of coal mining in the town. He continues to work with The Men of the Deeps, who perform annually at the Davis Day ceremony and is always available for retired miners who still have questions or need help in any way.

“Brother Burchell is a one-of-a-kind person, and you couldn’t ask for a better person to represent his union brothers and sisters in eastern Canada, and he did it well for many years,” said International Auditor/Teller Jody Dukart.

“I knew when I was appointed to the position Bobby held for so long, that I was going have big shoes to fill,” Dukart said. “He has helped me during my career, he helps everyone in his community, and he loves the United Mine
Workers the same way he loves his family.”

Most recently, Bobby has spent countless hours preparing for the special celebration of the 100th anniversary of Davis Day. “So much work goes into planning an event where hundreds will attend and even after retiring, he is
still putting his heart and soul into a day that he knows is special to everyone in the community,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson.

“Davis Day will always be honored and recognized by the UMWA,” Sanson said. “We know the importance it holds for the entire community and the role that Bobby plays in making sure it goes smoothly. I thank him for his many years of service to the UMWA, to his community and to the membership he has represented for so many years.”

 

“THE UMWA HAS ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MINERS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA. I HAVE MADE LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS DURING MY TENURE WITH THE UNION, AND I WILL KEEP WORKING AND SUPPORTING MY UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS UNTIL I SIMPLY CAN’T. GOD BLESS THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA.”
— BOBBY BURCHELL

Cambria County Prison

New Officers Sworn In

On April 15, 2025, six new corrections officers and UMWA members were sworn in at the Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. Family members and other community supporters were present to witness the oaths that were taken and the speeches that were given in honor of the new cadets.

The prison’s new warden, Kurt Wolford, instituted the public ceremony in April. In previous years, the ceremony was private. “The warden talked about the importance of the jobs our corrections officers do and the pride it takes to be a corrections officer,” said International District 2 Vice President Chuck Knisell.

“It is a good thing for the new officers being able to have their family and friends attend their ceremony. I congratulate each of the six new cadets and welcome them to Local Union 616 of the United Mine Workers of America,” Knisell said.

The new class consisted of Krista Pell, Brad Black, Misty Rito, Nathaniel Lane, Tyler Whitaker and Kolbe Brothers. Rito said she was nervous because she isn’t comfortable being in front of a crowd. “It was an honor,” said Rito. “I absolutely loved it. It was amazing just to be recognized, even though I was nervous.”

“Corrections Officers play a significant role in our daily lives,” said President Roberts. “They place themselves in harm’s way when necessary to protect each one of us. Maintaining order and security in prisons to safeguard the public is extremely taxing and dangerous work. The sacrifice they make on our behalf every single day is commendable. I am proud to welcome our new corrections officers to the UMWA and of the dedicated service they provide for each of us.”

Warden Wolford plans to continue holding swearing-in ceremonies when new corps of cadets are ready to graduate from the prison’s training class and begin their new jobs.

 

“THE UMWA REPRESENTS SEVERAL HUNDRED CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN PENNSYLVANIA. SOME OF THE PRISONS HOUSE 400 OR MORE INMATES, SOME HANDLE LESS THAN 75, BUT IN EVERY ONE OF THEM ARE DEDICATED, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN AND MEN SERVING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.”

-CECIL E. ROBERTS