FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 13, 2019
[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Bituminous Coal Operators Association (BCOA) that will result in a $1.00 per hour wage increase over the remaining life of the existing agreement and the restoration of a holiday for the workers represented by the Union.
The parties agreed to a wage increase of 50 cents per hour effective August 15, 2019 and another 50 cents per hour increase effective January 1, 2021. Additionally, the parties agreed, effective January 1, 2021, to restore the birthday holiday that UMWA members gave up when the current agreement was ratified in 2016.
“We are pleased that the parties were able to reach this reopener agreement that recognizes the hard work our members have done over the last two and a half years since the current contract was ratified,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “They have not had a raise for more than three years and they deserve one. Under this agreement, they will have two.”
The National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement of 2016 runs through December 31, 2021, and covers all Murray Energy subsidiaries in Northern Appalachia where the workers are represented by the UMWA.
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