During the week of February 17-21st,, the Safety Department conducted inspections in District 20 at Local 1948 Shoal Creek, Local 2133 Oak Grove, Local 8982 Concord Plant, Local 2245 Warrior Met No.4 and Local 2397 Warrior Met No. 7.
Pictured (l-r) Safety Comitteemen Morris Studdard and Elfego Shepherd, Director of Occupational Health and Safety Josh Roberts and District 20 Representative John Earnest on February 20, 2025. This marked Brother Shepherd’s last day of working underground. He retired with 20 years of service.
Other inspections completed earlier in February included Coal Mt. Surface Mine in Wyoming, West Virginia, Local Union 1971’s Bandmill Preparation Plant in Logan County, West Virginia, Local Union 781’s Wells Loadout and Local Union 9177’s Rocklick Preparation Plants in Wharton, West Virginia.
Safety inspection completed at Coal Mt. Surface Mine. Pictured is District 17 Representative Ben Cook and Local Union 8783 President Darren Kenneda.Local Union 1971 has gone over two years with no losttime accidents and no reportable injuries. Pictured at the Bandmill Preparation Plant in Logan County, West Virginia (l-r) Robert Cash, Robby Hicks and Bob Frazier.
Fayette County Corrections Officers Transform Their Workplace
With the ratification of a new contract boosting starting pay to $20 per hour, the members of Local Union 9113, working at the Fayette County Prison, have completed a remarkable turn-around for themselves, the county and the safety of the general public. It is the next step in a years-long effort to build a new prison and staff it adequately.
“This new contract is a game changer,” said LU 9113 President Chase Rutherford. “For the first time in years, the prison is fully staffed. That means we won’t be forced to work two or three jobs and everyone can concentrate on what they are supposed to be doing. We are bringing in new-hires and getting them trained. It’s such a huge difference from before.”
The current Fayette County prison opened in 2024, replacing a prison built in the 1800’s that was literally falling down around the corrections officers working there. The UMWA International Union, District 2 and LU 9113 engaged in a five-year fight to finally get approval from the County Commission to build the new facility.
“Working in this new prison is night and day different from how it used to be in the old place,” said LU 9113 Vice President Kevin Locke. “Over there, the inmates were in charge. Here, the officers are in charge and the inmates know it. It’s safer for everyone, and it makes the job more attractive to people.”
But once the facility was opened, with larger cellblocks and more area to cover, there were not enough officers to adequately staff it. Pay levels were not competitive with other jobs in the area. That changed last year as the UMWA negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement that significantly raised pay and benefits.
“THIS NEW CONTRACT IS A GAME CHANGER.” Chase Rutherford, Local Union 9113 President
“I came here because of the pay levels,” said Dalaina Kenny, a new probationary corrections officer. “I was making more working security somewhere else, but then they raised the pay here and it became a lot more attractive. The job is interesting, to say the least. But I like it so far.”
“Management will tell you that the new pay levels make a difference for them, too,” Rutherford said. “When they advertise a job now, they get several applications. They can pick and choose the best person for the job. This is becoming a competitive place to work around here, and it didn’t used to be that way at all.”
“We are proud to represent the workers at Fayette County Prison and all the other corrections officers we represent in District 2,” said International District 2 Vice President Chuck Knisell. “They do some of the toughest jobs in our communities, and they do them well. We are continuing to work to improve pay
and conditions at every one of them, a job which gets a little easier when we are able to negotiate contracts like we did at LU 9113.”
EXTREME WEATHER HAS FLOODED HOMES, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES. THE UMWA PITCHES IN TO HELP VICTIMS RECOVER.
Heavy rains and melting snow caused widespread flooding in the Appalachian region, killing at least nine people. UMWA’s Regions I and II collected, loaded and delivered supplies to those impacted by the flooding in central Appalachia. Donations collected included bottled water, cleaning supplies, blankets and basic household goods.
The floods have highlighted the resilience of small communities to work together for collective survival in rural Appalachia, but they have also exposed a deep vulnerability of the communities, many of which are located along creeks at the base of hills and mountains with poor emergency warning systems. As short-term cleanup leads to longterm recovery efforts, residents are faced with daunting barriers that leave many facing the same flood risks repeatedly.
Region I and II Directors Mike “Biggin” Payton and Brian Lacy were impressed with the overwhelming support from the entire Appalachian area. Hundreds of donated goods were dropped at UMWA offices in Charleston, Chapmanville, Fairmont and Wheeling, West Virginia, as well as the District 2 Office in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and Sub District 28 office in Castlewood, Virginia.
UMWA’s Local Union 1760 donated a truckload of supplies, Local Union 1259 donated $500 and Sub-District 28 Chaplain Corp members donated $400 to the relief fund in Buchanon County, Virginia.
The U.S. National Mining Association (NMA) partnered with five allied trade associations to file an opening brief challenging MSHA’s silica rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
The association said MSHA unlawfully imposed significant restrictions on how to achieve the new Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The NMA argues that MSHA’s PEL is arbitrary and capricious given MSHA’s restrictions on exposure controls, including the prohibition on job rotation and respirators to reduce silica exposure.
The UMWA filed an amicus brief, a legal document filed with the court providing additional information in the case. In the brief, the UMWA provided the following information:
“These consolidated cases involve two petitions for review of the Silica Rule filed by trade groups representing various segments of the metal and nonmetal (“MNM”) mining industry, as well as certain mine operators allegedly subject to the Silica Rule. These petitioners, along with two further trade groups participating as amici curiae in support of the petitioners, challenge the Silica Rule on various grounds largely related to the rational basis, or alleged lack thereof, for the Silica Rule or for one or more aspects of the Silica Rule.
The United Mine Workers of America International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC (“United Mine Workers”) and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC (“United Steelworkers”) (collectively “Unions”), support the Respondents.
The Silica Rule, a crucial regulatory intervention in an industry with lately rising rates of pneumoconiosis (colloquially known as “black lung”) and silicosis largely attributable to increased exposure to respirable silica dust, was [affirmative articulation of APA standard]. The Unions write to address two issues: first, whether MSHA is required to make a threshold finding of a “significant risk” before issuing a regulation; and second, whether MSHA’s determination that it is not so required potentially violates the constitution. These issues were raised in the opening brief filed by Petitioners Sorptive Minerals Institute and Blue Mountain Production Company (“Petitioners”).
For the reasons set forth, the Unions submit that the Court should answer both questions in the negative. The pertinent provisions of the Mine Act differ from those in the OSH Act relied upon by the Benzene Court to find the “significant risk” requirement. Additionally, the scope and role of OSH Act in regulating the national economy present constitutional issues not found in the Mine Act.”
“Miners with black lung disease have been fighting for protections from deadly silica dust for decades,” said President Roberts. “MSHA’s silica standard was put into place to reduce the amount of deadly silica dust in mine atmospheres, which is crucial for combating the worsening epidemic of black lung disease.
“We have fought for far too long for the health and safety of our nation’s coal miners to allow anyone to try and take away the basic rights that miners deserve. We remain in full support of MSHA’s silica rule. Our focus remains to holding mining companies accountable,” Roberts said.
December 19, 2024, marked the 40th anniversary of the Wilberg Mine Disaster that claimed the lives of 27 coal miners and company officials. A massive fire broke out in the mine, trapping the miners. Despite heroic efforts by mine rescue teams from Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, the fire took over the mine. There were no survivors and the mine had to be sealed.
Families were devastated to receive the horrific news just days before Christmas, 1984. It took nearly a year before the mine was unsealed and the bodies of the fallen miners recovered. Rescuers, families of the victims and members of the community pledged to never forget the tragedy and despair of their loved ones.
On September 19, 2024, a special twopart ceremony was held in honor of the victims, beginning with the UMWA’s traditional evergreen ceremony at the Wilberg Memorial site west of Orangeville, Utah, just below the Wilberg Mine.
“And now, our fellow worker, we pay the last sad rite and tribute of respect, the last one we can pay you in this world, placing on your grave these evergreens as a token of respect, that thy memory shall be with us always, though thou hast paid the debt and hast gone to the realms above,” President Roberts recited from the UMWA Burial Service in the Union’s Constitution.
“The UMWA evergreen service is one of the sincerest tributes we can give to our fallen brothers and sisters after they have passed and provides comfort to their families. Coal miners have paid a tremendous debt to our country, and they should be honored with dignity upon their passing,” said Roberts. Everyone who attended was invited to lay an evergreen at the base of the memorial.
Lighting Ceremony Held in Honor of Fallen Miners
A lighting ceremony was held at Utah State University’s Geary Theater in Price, Utah, later that evening. The American Legion Post 3 presented the colors, followed by an opening prayer by Local Union 1769 member Don Lou Shelley. Brother Shelley also serves as a member of the District 22 Chaplain Corps. International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety Joe Main, Secretary-Treasurer Sanson and President Roberts all delivered heartfelt speeches to the crowd.
Dalpiaz expressed his deepest condolences to family members and friends of the 27 miners who perished in the Wilberg Mine. “To all of the family members and to each and every one here in remembrance of their loved ones, I am sorry,” said Dalpiaz.
“I have visited with family members many times over the years, and we still talk often,” Dalpiaz said. “We talk about this tragedy and how we can work to make sure something like this never happens again. There have been many changes in mine safety laws because of these types of incidents, and it is my hope that it gives you some peace that your dad, uncle, brother or sister did not die in vain.”
Dalpiaz read the names of each fallen miner while a slideshow was played. As each name was read, a light representing each miner was illuminated by a family member. He then introduced Secretary-Treasurer Sanson. “I was only 11 years old when this disaster happened,” said Sanson.
“I have read about it, I’ve heard others talk about it, but you never get the full appreciation of the devastation of a tragedy like Wilberg until you talk to those who were part of the rescue teams or to family members,” Sanson said. “We have an obligation as leaders to remember the miners and families who were affected by this loss, because the moment we forget will be the moment we are faced with more coal miners and more families affected by a tragedy that could have been prevented.”
Sanson thanked those in attendance for the opportunity to speak and spoke of what an honor it was to be there. He then introduced President Roberts who offered remarks to those who oversaw inspecting the mine during the initial stages of the disaster and to all the mine rescuers who risked their own lives trying to save their fellow miner.
Roberts spoke about the true heroes in the aftermath of the disaster; the families and spouses who were left behind. “The person who was making a living to support that family is not there anymore. They lost their loved one. It’s devastating,” Roberts said.
“There were car payments to be made, house payments to be made, medical bills, groceries, maybe college to be paid for,” Roberts said. “The income of that family stopped right there when that fire came through and took their lives. Just likethat, families were changed forever. To all the families that were affected by the Wilberg Mine Disaster, your loved ones will never be forgotten. The UMWA will make sure that never happens.”
The morning and evening ceremonies were held in September due to the possible extreme weather conditions in Utah in December. “We wanted to make sure that family members and those who had to travel across the country to be here for this sacred event would be able to do so safely. I would like to thank everyone who was able to come out in honor of our miners who tragically lost their lives on December 19, 1984,” said Dalpiaz.
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION TO SECURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND VOICE OF ALL WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.” – BRIAN SANSON
The Journal:
What do you see as the major issues the Union is facing today?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
The major issue facing our members working in the coal industry today are fuel switching by utilities and the amount of power plants that are actually closing across the country. We have less demand for our product within the coal industry than we have ever had before and challenges remain into the future about where our coal is going to be sold. We will continue to support the development and application of technology to ensure utilities can continue to use coal as a fuel as well as encourage government action to help those workers, families and communities that have already been devastated by the loss of coal jobs.
The Journal:
There has been a major shift in political power in Washington heading into 2025. What does this mean for the UMWA members and the entire labor movement?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
We have major concerns that the pension and health care legislation that so many people fought for years to achieve could be in jeopardy. There is a task force put together to assess government spending. They will be looking at all spending and the money that is allocated for our legislation, that provides benefits for our retirees and pension benefits for our retirees, will come under scrutiny. There are those in Washington who strongly opposed the legislation we passed preserving those benefits, and they have a stronger voice now on Capitol Hill and in the White House. These are very serious concerns.
The Journal: With the new administration, how do you think the enforcement of health and safety will be affected, especially in regard to the silica dust rule?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
We have a lot of concern. We have made a lot of improvements within health and safety in our union and across the industry. We have concerns that the silica rule will not be enforced and will not be funded. This will result in younger miners getting black lung, being exposed to silicosis and greatly increasing the number of deaths associated with underground mining. This is a very serious concern for the Mine Workers and it is something that is a challenge that remains in front of us to be addressed.
The Journal:
What do you think about the politicians who don’t care about that and who are okay with taking funding away from enforcing this rule?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
The politicians on Capitol Hill who are okay with taking funding away from enforcing the rule are no different than the robber barons of old. They have no compassion and no care for workers; all they care about is the bottom line of companies and where their campaign contributions come from.
The Journal:
You’re currently in your first full term as Secretary-Treasurer. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
To be part of the effort to pass the legislative victories that we were able to achieve is probably one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. To be able to work beside President Roberts, the Executive Board and ride buses with the rank-and-file members, is something that I will cherish my entire life.
The Journal:
You were intimately involved in dealing with the bankruptcies of coal company after coal company, including negotiating some of the collective bargaining agreements that kept UMWA members working after those bankruptcies. Can you talk to us a little about that?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
Going through all of the bankruptcies that we were thrust into in 2013, moving forward, was a very difficult time for this union. We spent countless hours in court, demonstrating and rallying outside of courthouses across the country. The UMWA has fared far better than any other group of workers when it came to being able to come out of a bankruptcy with our jobs, maintain our union, maintain our pensions and maintain retiree health care. I think we have put the best plan in place to deal with bankruptcies, and I’m quite proud that we were able to come out of them in the manner in which we did.
The Journal: Can you tell us a little bit about the Union’s finances?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
The Union’s finances are strong. Obviously we have engaged in some major battles over the last several decades. The effort to pressure coal companies to pay $400 million into a VEBA to continue benefits, and then to pass legislation in Congress to preserve them cost a lot of money. Right off the heels of that, we go into a two-year strike with Warrior Met. We continue to fight and that will never change until we have the outcome that our members deserve in Alabama. We minimize the amount of money that we spend while still achieving our objectives, and we continue to do that.
The Journal:
What do you see as the Union’s goals for growing our membership to preserve our future?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
Organizing is the lifeblood of every union. There is no question about that. Bringing the Navajo Nation back into the Mine Workers was a huge victory. We have had a lot of additional organizing; organizing state employees, public employees and private employees outside of the coal industry. That is the key to growth and our future.
The Journal:
You mentioned our members on the Navajo Nation. Can you tell us the status of those members?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
We have a collective bargaining agreement with the Nation which has gone into effect. Many of the Nation’s workers are still members of the UMWA from a previous time when we did have a contract in place. We have to do everything necessary to communicate with those workers and bring them into the UMWA family.
The Journal:
What do you foresee for 2025 and what should our priorities be?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
2025 is going to be a difficult year. I see it as a year of workers’ rights being rolled back. I have a real concern that the legislation that we fought so hard for could become a line item on someone’s budget that could be marked out. That is not acceptable to this union. We are going to make sure that promise is kept.
The Journal:
Do we have any major contracts that we need to negotiate in 2025?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
We have a lot of contracts. Some of the largest, obviously, is the national agreement with ACNR, but we also have a large contract expiring at the Cumberland Mine in Pennsylvania and mines in Alabama. We are still working to get an agreement our members will ratify at Warrior Met. We have real challenges ahead of us to secure contracts that are fair for our members. We have begun to get ready, and I believe that we will secure contracts for those operations.
The Journal:
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
I think it’s important that the membership of the UMWA begin to think about the upcoming years. We have to be prepared to stave off any attack formed against us. It is a fight that is coming and a fight that we need to be prepared for.
The Journal:
Can you tell us what it’s like to work alongside President Roberts?
Secretary-Treasurer Sanson:
I have been very fortunate in my career. I have been able to watch his leadership over the last twenty years. He builds a work ethic in you that I don’t think can be learned, it has to be molded. President Roberts is a unique individual and anyone who spends time around him and doesn’t become a better person, it’s your own fault because he can be a tremendous teacher. I am grateful for the time I have been able to spend working for him and with him.
“LIKE THE GREAT JOHN L. LEWIS SAID MANY YEARS AGO,I DERIVE MY STRENGTH FROM THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND HONORED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST UNION IN THE WORLD FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.” – CECIL E. ROBERTS
On January 16, 2025, President Roberts announced to the International Executive Board that he would be retiring at the close of the International Special Convention that will be held in October, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. Roberts is in his 7th consecutive term as International President of the United Mine Workers of America.
Before taking over the reins from the late President Emeritus Richard L. Trumka on October 22, 1995, he served as UMWA’s International Vice President beginning in December,1982. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War and upon his return from Vietnam, he worked at Carbon Fuel’s No. 31 Mine in Winifred, West Virginia. In 1977 he was elected as Vice President of UMWA District 17 by a 2-to-1 margin.
He was the “field general” and key negotiator in the UMWA’s 10-month successful strike against the Pittston Coal Company in 1989. He negotiated dozens of collective bargaining agreements which featured increases in pensions, wages and other terms and conditions of
employment.
After a decade-long fight, he led the fight to secure the health care and pensions of more than 92,000 retired miners with Congressional passage of the Miners Protection Act of 2017, the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 and the Miners Pension Protection Act of 2020.
In 2022, West Virginia University Medicine named the cardiac wing of its new Children’s Hospital the Cecil E. Roberts, United Mine Workers of America WVU Children’s Heart Wing. Roberts has dedicated his life to workers’ rights, fought tirelessly for black lung benefits and never gave up on ensuring that retirees received the pensions and health care they earned over a lifetime of backbreaking work.
“I am going to retire at the end of the Special Convention. I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world. It has been 59 years since I was drafted, and I survived Vietnam, returned home and have been able to live for 50 plus years. I contracted cancer because of Vietnam, but I’m cancerfree as of now and am working to remain so. I am a lucky guy,” said Roberts.
“Brian Sanson is going to be your next president. I want everybody to know that I am going to do everything I can to support him, and I’m going to do everything in my power to get him elected when the next elections come around. I will put my name on every piece of material I can in support of him. I suggest that we all ought to do the same.”
Roberts looks forward to spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he retires.
SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI ON OCTOBER 28-29, 2025
Brothers and Sisters, the United Mine Workers of America has a history of struggles and victories. Our union is 135 years old, and we want to be around for another 135 years. It is my duty, as your president, to make sure the union is in the best financial status possible as we move forward to preserve our longevity and to prepare ourselves for the fights we may encounter in the future.
“With the approval of the International Executive Board and Secretary-Treasurer Sanson, we have collectively decided that now is the time to convene the highest deliberative body of the United Mine Workers of America International Union in a Special International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri on October 28-29, 2025, to codify the Resolutions of the International Executive Board into the UMWA Constitution.
“We have chosen St. Louis as our destination because what better way to gather in unity than where our most recent hard-fought battle of securing health care and pensions began. We achieved victory when no one thought we could, and now is the time to prepare ourselves for any challenges that will come our way. It is the right thing to do to be prepared and ready to fight those battles.
“We will provide additional, detailed information to all local union officers in the upcoming months. Brothers and Sisters, I look forward to seeing many of you in St. Louis, and may God Bless you and your families.”
A growing surge of federal and state environmental laws and regulations affecting coal production. Changing priorities for fuel use by the nation’s utilities to generate electricity. Bankruptcies, and then more bankruptcies. Unfair court decisions threatening retirees’ health care and pensions. More than half of America’s coal mining jobs lost.
The UMWA has been faced with all these significant challenges, and more since the turn of the century. And the fights are far from over.
The Twisted Tale of Patriot Coal
Beginning in 2005, Arch Coal sought to abandon its promises to UMWA members by spinning off its union operations into a company called Magnum Coal and dumping all its retiree liabilities into it. In 2007, then Peabody followed suit by creating Patriot Coal and putting ten percent of its assets and one hundred percent of its retiree liabilities into Patriot. They even bragged about how they cut a billion dollars from their current and future liabilities. In 2008, Patriot and Magnum then merged into one company which, as planned by their former owners, had little chance of survival in a soft coal market.
In 2012, that is exactly what happened. In July of that year, Patriot Coal went into a New York City bankruptcy court and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Active and retired workers were faced with a significant threat to their jobs, their health care and pension.
At this time, more than 22,000 active members, retirees and their dependents received health care benefits from Patriot Coal. “This is Peabody’s and Arch’s attempt to shed themselves of their obligations under the NBCWA and the Coal Act,” said PresidentRoberts to UMWA members at a bankruptcy explanation meeting. The fight to Keep the Promise was on.
Taking the Fight to St. Louis
The first battle the UMWA confronted was moving the bankruptcy case from New York to a location closer to the coalfields. “The people who were affected lived in Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana,” said President Roberts. “They didn’t live anywhere near New York. So we asked the New York judge to move the case.”
Retirees wrote hundreds of letters to the judge, asking her to put the case closer to the coalfields. “If they are going to take away my pension and my health care, I want them to look me in the eye when they do it,” said one.
We prevailed. The case was moved to the federal Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis, which is also where Peabody and Arch have their headquarters. It was a perfect place to march, rally, and protest both companies and any decision the court might make. And on a cold day in January, 2013, the UMWA held the first of more than 18rallies in St. Louis. President Roberts and others were arrested in front of Peabody’s headquarters.
On April 29, 2013, more than 6,000 active and retired coal miners, families and supporters marched down the streets of St. Louis, Missouri
In December, 2013, Patriot Coal emerged from bankruptcy when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis ruled the company could cease paying health care benefits for all retirees who retired after 1994. The court ruling also allowed Patriot Coal to eliminate retiree health care for those active employees, who were eligible for benefits. The Court also threw out the existing collective bargaining agreement and set the terms and conditions of work moving forward. But the UMWA said “Not acceptable,” and made it clear to Patriot that any new collective bargaining agreement had to have significant improvements over the Judge’s order. After some months of negotiation, that is exactly what happened.
Peabody and Arch, wanting desperately to end the St. Louis rallies and repair their public image, agreed to provide $400 million to fund a Voluntary Employees Benefit Association (VEBA) which would pay retiree health care going forward. The Promise was kept, for a time.
WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO HAND OVER YET MORE MILLIONS TO A HANDFUL OF WALL STREET FINANCIERS AT THE EXPENSE OF WORKING AND RETIRED COAL MINERS. – PRESIDENT ROBERTS
‘KEEP THE PROMISE!’
In 2015, the UMWA was hit once again with the shrapnel of coal company bankruptcies. Patriot Coal, again, Walter Energy and Alpha Natural Resources used federal bankruptcy laws to attempt to slash workers’ wages, eliminate jobs and retiree health and pension benefits, and shred collective bargaining agreements. The 1974 Pension Plan filed a complaint against Peabody and Arch, accusing the companies of evadingtheir obligations to its workers.
On September 8, 2016, more than 10,000 UMWA members, family and supporters were called to action once again. More than 125 buses from 14 states offloaded members into Union Square in Washington, DC. It was time to confront the government and demand action to protect the pensions and health care of active and retired miners and widows once and for all, as stated under the terms of the 1946 Krug-Lewis Agreement.
“It is here at the doorstep of Congress that the decision to uphold the Promise made to miners in 1946 will ultimately be determined!” proclaimed President Roberts. One hundred UMWA members sat down in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue in a display of civil disobedience. All arrestees were removed by the UnitedStates Capitol Police.
In July 2015, the UMWA held its 55th Consecutive Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
125 Years of Struggle and Glory
On January 25, 2015, the UMWA celebrated 125 years since it was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1890. The United Mine Workers of America would later be one of the first to negotiate the eight-hour work day, an end to child labor, and health care and retirement benefits.
In July, 2015, the UMWA held its 55th Consecutive Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Delegates approved constitutional changes that addressed depressed coal prices, bankruptcies, plant closures, job losses and agreed on plans for upcoming contract negotiations. As well as, one percent Selective Strike assessment to be transferred to the General Fund in preparation for the struggles ahead.
On August 17, 2015, more than 1,200 members, families and supporters rallied out front of Patriot Coal’s headquarters in Scott Depot, West Virginia, to protest the company’s plan to abandon its collective bargaining agreement.
A Permanent Health Care Solution
On May 5, 2017, Congress passed legislation that guaranteed lifetime health care benefits to UMWA retirees and their families. The passage of House Resolution 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, relieved retirees, widows and dependents of the possibility of having their health care stolen from them. During the final stages of the UMWA’s effort to pass the Miners Protection Act, the membership’s lobbying efforts were crucial to the union’s success.
But we could only pause to celebrate for a short time. The immediate fight to preserve pensions loomed. The health care of more than 22,600 current future retirees had been secured but more than 86,000 beneficiaries and an additional 20,000 future retirees were still at risk of having their pensions severely reduced or eliminated altogether.
Special International Convention
In November, 2017, the UMWA held a Special International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, as both a celebration of the health care victory and an action to resolve the fight to preserve the 1974 Pension Plan. Resolution one was introduced by International Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Dan Kane, “The International President shall call a Special International Convention in order to obtain authorization to transfer funds from the Selective Strike Fund to the General Treasury, provided that said transfer will not cause the balance of the Selective Strike Fund to fall below $100 million.” Delegates voted unanimously to adopt all constitutional changes.
IF WE NEVER GAVE UP, IF WE NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING, WE WOULD NEVER LOSE. IT WAS NOT A QUESTION OF ‘IF’ WE WILL WIN, BUT WHEN WE WILL WIN. – PRESIDENT ROBERTS
Columbus, Ohio Rally
In July, 2018, 13,000 UMWA members, families and supporters gathered on the steps of the Ohio State Capitol during a hearing to discuss the country’s pension crisis.
July 12-13, 2018, 13,000 UMWA members, families and members of supporting unions gathered on the steps of the State Capitol in Columbus, Ohio, during a two-day hearing by the Joint Select Committee on Multi-Employer pensions to discuss a solution to America’s Pension Crisis. “We are here to remind Congress that we will not stop fighting for the hardearned pensions American Workers have earned and deserve!”, President Roberts proclaimed to a crowd of over 13,000 on the steps of the Statehouse steps.
United States Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, both from Ohio, spoke at this rally, along with national labor leaders representing Teamsters, Steelworkers, Bakery Workers, Flight Attendants and others.
More than 100,000 UMWA members and supporters rallied, marched and lobbied in cities across the country to urge the U.S. Government to “Keep the Promise!” made to workers and their families.
Promise Made, Promise Kept
On December 20, 2019, in the closing hours of the 116th Congressional session, legislation recognizing the promise made to members of the UMWA by the U.S. Government was codified into law and the struggle to “Keep the Promise” of lifetime health care and pensions made to coal miners on May 29, 1946 ended. “From the very first meetings and rallies in July 2012, through the host of coal company bankruptcies, to callous rulings from the courts, the UMWA membership has remained resilient and fighting,” said President Roberts.
President Roberts was arrested more than any other person during the fight to “Keep the Promise” to miners. 246 members, family members and supporters risked their personal freedom to push the government to honor the commitment made to the nation’s miners. From August 2012 through the passage of the Continuing Resolution in 2019, over 10,000 people stood at the doorstep of the United States Capitol and more than 13,000 in front of the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, to win the battle against corporate bankruptcy and preserve the promise made to thousands of working people.
The Promise has been kept. Now we need to defend it.
On September 8, 2016, more than 10,000 UMWA members, family and supporters filled Union Square in Washington, DC to rally for health care and pensions.
On September 24th President Roberts, Secretary-Treasurer Sanson and UMWA members were on Capitol Hill demanding support for funding the MSHA Silica Standard.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted along party lines on Wednesday, July 10th to advance an appropriations bill for the federal Department of Labor that contains a provision to block any funding to implement the newly-finalized rule to limit miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust.
The appropriations bill, which outlines how the Department of Labor will allocate its funding for fiscal year 2025, contains one line of text that prohibits the use of any funding for the implementation of the new silica dust rule. Page 52, section 123, states the following: None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to administer, implement or enforce the proposed rule entitled ‘‘Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection’’, published by the Department of Labor in the Federal Register on April 18, 2024.
“This is not the first time some misguided members of Congress have tried to block this life-saving standard from taking effect. It is difficult for me to understand how any member of Congress could possibly be supportive of more miners dying a suffocating death as a result of being forced to breathe silica dust,” said President Roberts.
“The action from House Republicans is a direct attack on the health and safety of coal miners,” Roberts said. “The epidemic of black lung disease is a critical issue that demands immediate action. Congress must do better and reject this dangerous provision and stand up for the rights and health of the nation’s coal miners. It could mean the life or death of someone’s spouse, relative or child.
“Sacrificing the health of miners for any reason is morally reprehensible, and it undermines the principles of fairness and justice that our country stands for,” Roberts said.
Lives Saved With New Silica Dust Standard
Based on MSHA’s 2019 Quarterly Employment Production Industry Profile and the 2019 Quarterly Contractor Employment Production Report, the number of working miner full-time equivalents (FTEs) who will benefit from the new silica rule in the future is estimated to be 184,615 for non-metal mines and 72,768 for coal.
The final rule is expected to result in at least 1,067 avoided deaths and 3,746 avoided cases of silicosis morbidity among the working and retired miner population. MSHA expects full-scale implementation to reduce lifetime excess mortality risk by 9.5 percent and to reduce lifetime excess silicosis morbidity risk by 41.9 percent. Excess mortality risk includes the excess risk of death due to silicosis, NMRD, lung cancer and ESRD.
“Miners with black lung and their families have been fighting for protections from deadly silica dust for years. I hate to say it, but every Republican on the Committee voted to kill funding for the silica rule, putting miners’ lives at risk. Every Democrat supported the silica rule. This action must be reversed,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson.
“We have worked tirelessly for far too long to get the new rule implemented, and we cannot let the disgraceful actions of these members of Congress, who never stepped foot in a coal mine, get in our way.” Sanson said. “Miners are facing deadly levels of exposure to silica dust like never before. One in five veteran coal miners in Central Appalachia are now suffering from the most deadly form of black lung; silicosis.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure our nation’s miners are not forgotten and, more importantly, aren’t dying at a pace that is, quite frankly, more rapidly than we’ve seen in decades,” Sanson said.
Studies have shown that miners are contracting the disease earlier and earlier in their careers. One miner was only 34 years old when he was diagnosed with black lung. The disease is entirely preventable but once contracted, it is irreversible.
“Coal is the economy in the Appalachia region, and it’s a big deal, but when mines aren’t safe and silica levels aren’t controlled, you see the human toll it takes on the miner and their families, and it’s devastating,” said MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson, whose great grandfather had black lung disease.
“I don’t know if folks fully appreciate what the new silica rule means to miners and their families,” Williamson said. “Before the rule, there was not a separate, citable silica standard in coal mining, which meant if there was a silica over exposure, MSHA could not issue a citation, could not give a penalty and could not require the mine operator to take corrective actions.
“Not only is it a big deal, but it will also save lives. It is unconscionable why anyone would not support the new standard. It is shameful that anyone would want to carry the weight of deciding whether a person lives or dies while trying to provide a living for their family,” Williamson said.
At the time the Journal went to print, Congress was preparing to vote to extend current funding levels across the entire government. This appropriations language will be considered in December.
With the new administration, how do you think the enforcement of health and safety will be affected, especially in regard to the silica dust rule?
Can you tell us a little bit about the Union’s finances?
