FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 25, 2021
“Open season on strikers in NLRB Region 10”
[MCCALLA, ALA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it will appeal the dismissal by National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 10 of several unfair labor practice charges relating to vehicular assault by Warrior Met Coal management personnel. The NLRB said there was “insufficient evidence that any pickets were struck” despite both video evidence and eyewitness testimony.
“The NLRB is asking us to disbelieve our own eyes,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Video of two of these assaults has been widely distributed by the media. I personally witnessed another one that occurred right in front of me. Additionally, we have testimony from eyewitnesses to two other assaults. This is an outrageous decision by NLRB Region 10, and we will fight it every step of the way.”
“To date, there has been no action taken by the Alabama State Police, the Tuscaloosa or Jefferson County Sherriff’s Departments or the City of Brookwood, all of who have some varying level of jurisdiction regarding these assaults,” Roberts said. “Now the federal agency charged with ensuring the right to peacefully strike has refused to act as well.
“It appears that it is now open season on strikers walking the picket lines anywhere in NLRB Region 10,” Roberts said. “Management and scabs can target them with their vehicles and our government refuses to protect them. We are forced to ask if there is no justice for workers in Alabama?”
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