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Keeping the Pressure on BlackRock

New York BlackRock Buliding

Since late October 2021, UMWA members have gathered in front of BlackRock headquarters in New York City in an effort to keep the pressure on the largest shareholder in Warrior Met Coal.

BlackRock is one of several hedge funds that own shares in Warrior Met Coal, holding 13 percent.

The UMWA held rallies in front of the BlackRock headquarters on June 22nd, July 28th, November 4th, and November 18th, which were held in conjunction with various other venues across the country, in what was dubbed as the UMWA’s International Day of Action.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the four large rallies held at the doorsteps of Black-Rock, UMWA members have kept their presence known to BlackRock by picketing in front of their office building each week, handing out leaflets to passersby and holding signs to bring awareness to our hardworking members, who have been on strike since April 1st.

“We won’t back down, and we are never going to give up,” said International District 2 Vice President Chuck Knisell.

Knisell and several members and International Staff picketed in front of the New York offices in late December just before the holiday season was beginning.

“We will do whatever it takes to win this strike. And we will win this strike. If we have to be in front of these offices all day, every day, then that’s what we will do.”

UMWA members have traveled from the pine woods of Brookwood, Alabama and the hollows of West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania to show their solidarity with their brothers and sisters on strike.

“Our membership has done everything we have asked them to do to support our brothers and sisters that have been on strike in Alabama,” said President Roberts.

“We have rallied together for the last ten months, and we will continue to dedicate ourselves in whatever manner we see fit until BlackRock and the other hedge funds put pressure on Warrior Met to come to the bargaining table in good faith and reach a fair contract for our members.”

From carrying “We Are One” signs and handing out fliers and informational leaflets, to holding rallies across the country, the membership of the United Mine Workers will continue to press forward in solidarity to win the strike in Alabama.

“It’s time for BlackRock to do their part to put pressure on Warrior Met to give our workers the fair and just contract they deserve,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sanson.

“Our strikers have been waiting long enough. They made Warrior Met the profitable company they are today, and it’s time they shared some of those profits with the men and women who brought them out of bankruptcy, to begin with.”

Michael Wright, one of over 1,100 UMWA members on strike, has been a miner for 16 years.

“We want everything back that we had before,” said Wright. “That’s the message we are trying to send to BlackRock. We go underground sacrificing our lives for our families. Warrior Met is making billions of dollars. Where’s our money?”

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager with a portfolio in excess of $9.5 trillion dollars.

Mt. San Rafael Hospital Trinidad, Colorado

Local Union 8935

 

Local Union 8935 was organized in 2000, and with just around 100 members to date, they spoke of how they are feeling more than two decades later. With a new 36,000 square-foot wing of the hospital being completed in January of 2021, composed of new, state-of-the-art emergency equipment, an entirely new emergency department, a new surgical unit, and an imaging center, the hospital has been given a lift and Local Union 8935 members couldn’t be prouder.

Recording Secretary Raquel Lovato has been employed with Mt. San Rafael Hospital for 24 years; 21 years in the Nutrition Department and two years in the business office. “I work a regular eight-hour shift unless someone is on vacation or ill or something like that, then I work a 12-hour shift,” said Raquel.

“I’ve been a member since we organized our local, and I’m very proud of that. Honestly, it has been the best thing for morale. Everything changed for the better. We got a $3 raise as soon as we joined the union. Our benefits improved. We used to work every weekend before joining, and now we only work every other weekend. Everyone was very happy about that.”

Raquel said that before joining the union, people would get fired for no reason at all and is thankful it isn’t like that anymore.

“The men and women of Local Union 8935 are always there to support District 22 at whatever function we may be supporting or sponsoring,” said International District 22 Vice President Mike Dalpiaz. “For twenty-plus years, they have taken care of their patients with pride and dignity and have done the same for the entire membership of District 22.”

The Executive Board for Mt. San Rafael consists of all females. “I think it’s great to have an all-female Executive Board,” said Dalpiaz. “The women we have on the Board there are very sentimental and proud of the fact that they work in a place that once housed the tenacious Mother Jones. They know her history, they know the UMWA’s history, and they depict the very values that Mother Jones stood for.”

Lisa Hallihan has also been a member of Local Union 8935 since 2000 and was part of the original Organizing Committee. Lisa has been at the hospital for 33 years but is partially retired now. “Once joining the union, there was a big discretion in our wages, for the better, of course,” said Lisa. “I received almost a $5 raise. There was a huge improvement in morale because we all had a voice regarding our hours, wages, and positions, something we were not used to and something we did not have before. “

Lisa is a certified pharmacy technician and works in the hospital pharmacy filling the automatic drug suspension machines. Since her partial retirement, she only works one day a week now. Before her retirement, she was on the Grievance and Safety Committees and served as the Treasurer for the local for a little over 12 years. “I’m so grateful that I have had the opportunity to get to know our members that are employed at Mt. San Rafael,” said Region 4 Director Bob Butero.

“I’ve known most of them since our organizing drive 20-plus years ago. They all do exceptional work, and we have a great relationship with everyone there. Everyone is so honored to have the new wing of the hospital, and it will serve the members of our community for many years to come.”

History of Mt. San Rafael

The hospital building was built in 1972. The original hospital building, which is now the clinic, was built in 1889, a hospital where Mother Jones was once held. The hospital was used by General John Chase of the Colorado National Guard to hold labor activist Mother Jones during the 1913-1914 Colorado Coalfield War. Following the Ludlow Massacre, armed strikers took control of Trinidad and the hospital. A Denver newspaper dated January 12, 1914, stated “Mother Mary Jones, one of the noted agitators of the United Mine Workers of America, returned to Trinidad secretly today, after having been deported to Denver, and a few hours later was arrested on orders of the military authorities and sent to Mt. San Rafael Hospital under guard. She is being held incommunicado.”

The hospital is a level IV trauma center and is a pioneer in sex-change operations with the hospital’s first of thousands of such surgeries being completed there in 1969. Mt. San Rafael was also the first nursing school west of the Mississippi. “The UMWA has so much history in Colorado, particularly in Trinidad,” said President Roberts.

“Thousands of UMWA members joined strikes in the southern coalfields of Las Animas County, most notably our strike that resulted in the Ludlow Massacre. There’s obviously so much history here and our members of Local 8935 will continue to make history here. I’m so proud of the work they have done, especially working through the COVID-19 pandemic. They are the ones that have been on the frontline during this very difficult time in our country. I am proud of them, and this nation is grateful for the services they have provided to their community, but most of all, I am honored they are members of the United Mine Workers of America.”

Lorin E. Kerr Scholarship Winners!

 

The UMWA has announced the winners of the 2021-2022 Lorin E. Kerr E. Scholarship. Each of the winners will receive $2,500 this academic year to assist them in meeting their educational goals.

 

Reagan Smith is the granddaughter of Local Union 9926 member William Stetter. “My grandfather has put in decades of work,” said Reagan.

“It is because of the support, hard work, and diligence of retirees like my grandfather, that he and thousands of others will continue to receive the healthcare and pensions that were promised to them.”

Reagan is from Lanesville, Indiana, and is a strong supporter of the labor movement. “Within the last year, many have been hit hard due to the pandemic,” said Reagan.

“I am thankful that the UMWA continues to make sure its members maintain healthcare coverage without losing benefits.”

Reagan is currently attending Purdue University where she is studying pre-pharmacy, along with a certificate in nuclear pharmacy.”

This program will take six years to complete,” said Reagan. “In addition to school, I have been working as a pharmacy technician and during my senior year of high school, I was able to attend pharmacy technician training and obtain my pharmacy technician certification.”

Reagan plans to obtain her Doctorate of Pharmacy with the goal of one day working as a nuclear pharmacist.

Jace Rinehart is the grandson of Local Union 1702 member Jack Rinehart.

“I was raised in a union home and have been a direct witness to the history of the labor movement,” said Jace. Jace is from Mannington, West Virginia, and has an extensive understanding of the labor movement.

“While multiple issues and threats face the membership of organized labor, one of the most urgent would have to begin with on-the-job safety,” said Jace. “As the workplace continues to evolve, so does worker safety.”

Jace plans to attend the University of South Carolina Upstate and pursue a degree in Exercise Physiology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. In addition, Jace received a scholarship to play baseball for USC Upstate.

“My true love is baseball, but I know how hard it is to achieve that at the professional level,” said Jace. “I’m prioritizing my education alongside baseball to ensure a secure future for myself.” By receiving a degree in Exercise Physiology, Jace hopes to remain heavily involved in the field of sports and athletics.

Actively Retired Spotlight: Brother Dave Laurie

Local Union 1058 President Dave Laurie began his mining career on January 28, 1970, at the Humphrey Mine in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania. He worked as a general laborer and trackman on the afternoon shift and was laid off from that job after a short period of time. Upon returning to the mine, he worked as an inside tipple operator until his retirement in December of 1993 when the mine was shut down.

Brother Laurie has served as the Local Union President for roughly 20 years and has been the Safety Chair-person for 24 years. He also serves on the UMWA’s Chaplain Corp and on the COMPAC, Organizing, Mine Grievance and Pensioner Leadership Committees. “I could not ask for a more dedicated union Brother than Dave,” said International District 31 Vice President Rick Altman. “He has done more than his fair share since his retirement. He has lobbied on Capitol Hill and attended rallies all over the country. Anything the union has called upon him to do, he has been there every step of the way.”

Since retiring, Brother Laurie has been busy supporting the union at every turn. He has been to rallies in Charleston, WV; Lexington, KY; Columbus, OH and Washington, DC, just to name a few. He was an arrestee in September, 2016, wherein more than 10,000 people were in attendance for a rally held to push for the lifetime health care and pensions for UMWA retirees that were earned over a lifetime of back-breaking work. “I felt it was my obligation, and I never hesitated about being arrested,” said Brother Laurie. “My fellow brothers and sisters were promised their health care and pensions, and I felt it my duty to do anything I could to help them get what they were promised.”

“Brother Laurie has been a good friend of mine for many years now,” said President Roberts. “He has been to numerous rallies over the past several years and has been a bus captain on every trip he has made. I think anyone would agree that being a bus captain isn’t as easy as it sounds. He was arrested at our Nation’s Capital with 100 of his union brothers and sisters. His dedication to the United Mine Workers has been unwavering, and I know as long as Brother Laurie is able to, he will be the first in line to do anything he is called upon to do for our union.”

Brother Laurie hails from Morgantown, WV, and has been a member of District 31 since he started in the mines in 1970. “I’ve been to numerous UMWA events and functions during my tenure with the union and have seen first-hand the dedication that Brother Laurie has to this union,” said International Secretary-Treasurer Sanson. “Whether it’s getting on a bus to attend a rally, walking the halls of Congress or simply helping a fellow member at the mine or a local union meeting, he is there at every turn.”

Actively Retired is a regular feature highlighting UMWA retirees still working on behalf of the union. If you’d like to recommend a retiree to appear in Actively Retired, write to the UMW Journal, UMWA, 18354 Quantico Gateway Drive, Suite 200, Triangle, VA 22172, Attn: Actively Retired. Please include your name, local union, a telephone number and a brief explanation of why you’re nominating the individual.

Warrior Met Strikers Fighting for Families

It has been five months [Almost six at the time of publishing] since the United Mine Workers of America announced its strike against Warrior Met Coal. Warrior Met operates two mines, a preparation plant and a central shop, located in the heart of Alabama, 15 miles east of Tuscaloosa. The UMWA represents approximately 850 workers at these facilities.

In 2016, due to a series of questionable management decisions, Walter Energy filed for bankruptcy, but the workers decided to save their company, preserve their jobs and their communities by sacrificing wages, time off from work, loss of overtime pay and an end to full healthcare coverage.

Their sacrifices totaled $1.1 billion over five years in cost savings and helped the company reach revenues in excess of $4.3 billion. The result of these sacrifices and an unheard-of financial comeback for the company was Warrior Met’s blatant mistreatment of its workers, forcing them to work most holidays and complete 12-hour shifts reaching up to seven days a week.

“What Warrior Met has offered is just a tiny fraction of what the workers gave up five years ago,” said President Roberts. “These workers are tired of being mistreated, they are tired of being forced to work and missing time with their families. Warrior Met knows it is exploiting these workers, and it’s time for it to stop.” The striking Warrior Met miners hail from UMWA Local Unions 2245, 2397, 2368 and 2427.

On July 28, 2021, UMWA members from across the nation, including hundreds of Warrior Met strikers traveled to New York to the front doors of Warrior Met’s most substantial shareholder, BlackRock Fund Advisors. Strikers and supporters wore their camo shirts and signs, chanting their demands, “No Con-tract, No Coal!”

The strikers’ decision to picket out front of BlackRock was to demand the asset manager take a stand on its investments. BlackRock oversaw approximately $9.5 trillion at the end of June and held almost 7.5 million shares of Warrior Met at the end of March, nearly 14.6% of the company’s outstanding shares. BlackRock officials rejected offers to comment on Warrior Met.

The company’s actions have escalated. Warrior Met personnel have continuously conducted blatant acts of violence against striking miners, with incidents in the past two months. Six separate incidents of vehicular assault by employees and management working for Warrior Met have occurred on UMWA picket lines. Warrior Met personnel have repeatedly struck our members, who were engaging in legal picket line activities, with their vehicles,  said International District 20 Vice President Larry Spencer. “We have members in casts, we have members in the hospital, we have members who are concerned about their families and the potential of violence against them if they come to the picket line.”

Multiple police reports have been filed, one arrest has been made, but strikers say that local police have shown little or no interest in pursuing the perpetrators. On July 6, 2021, the wife of a striking miner was hit while peacefully and legally walking a picket line at Warrior Met Coal. Amy Pilkington, the wife of Greg, who is a six-year veteran at Warrior Met and a coal miner’s son, was on the receiving end of a vehicle barreling into Warrior Met Coal #7 East Portal when she was struck. “We’re not going to give up,” said Greg. “It’s part of their agenda to scare us off or physically and mentally push us to where we don’t want to fight anymore.”

Members, families and supporters loaded up in buses and traveled from South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois to join the striking miners at the largest labor rally in Alabama history. Brookwood Ballpark was filled with thousands of striking miners and sup-porters wearing “We Are One” camo shirts as the rally pressed on, hitting some of Alabama’s highest summer temperatures in the afternoon.

“This is solidarity,” said President Roberts. “They’re here to support their brothers and sisters here on this strike and to get this company to start bargaining for a fair and just contract and get these people back to work.”

Secretary-Treasurer Sanson has been a member of the negotiating team that is trying to reach a tentative agreement with Warrior Met since before the strike began on April 1, 2021. “Warrior Met is not bargaining in good faith” he said. “There are a lot of issues, not just one key issue. Warrior Met needs to get serious about negotiating a fair contract.” Dozens of major union officials were also present to show their support and solidarity.

As the strike continues, striking miners are faced with putting food on the table and a roof over their children’s heads. The additional worry of brutal company violence on top of the day-to-day struggle of this five-month strike is detrimental to striking miners and their families. “Warrior Met seems to believe that it is all right to hit people with cars as they engage in legal, protected activity” said President Roberts. “This is a dangerous course of action that can swiftly lead to events spiraling out of control.”

The UMWA has held solidarity rallies every Wednesday since the be-ginning of the strike. Dozens of labor leaders from across the country have come out to show solidarity and sup-port for their Alabama brothers and sisters. “I was graciously welcomed by UMWA staff and local leadership,” said Mike Williams, President of the Florida AFL-CIO. “There is no doubt they understand why they are out on the line, and they are a great example to the entire country on why sticking together and not buckling to the company is so important.”

The UMWA’s auxiliary pantry has collected tens of thousands of dollars since the beginning of the strike in April. Local markets have allowed the purchase of groceries in bulk at wholesale prices for miners and their families. “The auxiliary is a close-knit group of union members, spouses and supporters,” said President Roberts. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity and solidarity shown by other unions, individuals and the community who have contributed to this fight. We are so appreciative of every donation.”

The UMWA continues to pay strike benefits and health care costs for members, as well as distributing the money that has been donated to the union’s Strike Aid Fund. These donations will help to ensure that they have the ability to last “ONE DAY LONGER” and ultimately force Warrior Met to agree to a fair and equitable contract.

 

 

 

Donations can be made online

or by check made out to the UMWA 2021 Strike Aid Fund, and mailed to:

UMWA 2021 STRIKE AID FUND

P.O. BOX 513

DUMFRIES, VA 22026

Energy Secretary Granholm tours Harrison County mine

 

United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm traveled to West Virginia to see firsthand just how productive UMWA coal miners can be, as she joined President Roberts and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to go underground on June 4, 2021, at American Consolidated Natural Resources’ (ACNR) Harrison County mine, formerly known as the Robinson Run mine. “It is very important for high-level federal officials to see firsthand what coal miners do and how their work fits into America’s overall energy picture,” President Roberts said. “We have been trying for many years to get someone from Washington to a coal mine. Secretary Granholm stepped up and took on the challenge, and I commend her for doing that.”

Granholm’s tour included a discussion with ACNR company officials, local union leaders, President Roberts and Senator Manchin. After completing the mandatory safety training, the group geared up and traveled to the mantrips. The first stop was the longwall, then the group walked some of the belt line. “It was a short trip, but well worth it,” Roberts said. “These are some of the best miners in the world, and they were proud to show her what they do. As some in Washington continue to work to eliminate coal from our nation’s energy mix, it is critical that we continue to demonstrate just how important coal and coal miners are to our families and our communities.”

 

 

New York Assembly threatens Remington operation

 

The New York State Assembly in early June passed legislation that would make it more difficult for firearms manufacturers to operate in the state by making it easier for them to be sued if it can be shown that their products were used illegally.

“Like everyone else, the UMWA is concerned about the rising use of firearms in the commission of crimes in the United States,” President Roberts said.

“Hundreds are killed or wounded each year, and we agree that action must be taken to stop it but punishing the makers of firearms used by individual people to commit crimes is the same thing as punishing carmakers for fatalities or injuries caused by a drunk driver. It makes no sense and punishes the wrong people.”

In a letter to the leaders of the New York Assembly, Roberts wrote:

“As you may know, 600 members of UMWA Local 717 in Ilion, NY were laid off by Remington Arms on October 26, 2020. The workers lost benefits, as well as the ability to provide for their family in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The workers have just recently begun being called back to work. We fear if S. 1048-A/676-A should pass, that it could prevent Remington Arms from operating in the State of New York.

“The potential loss of these jobs due to COVID-19 have a devastating impact on the workers in these factories, their families and their communities who have done nothing wrong, but instead go to work each day to provide for their families.”

As of the date this article was written, the legislation had been sent to the Governor for his signature. He is expected to sign it.

Still No ETS from OSHA or MSHA

After three letters over the course of a year to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the agency has yet to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to address the risks miners face every day from COVID-19. Two Administrations have passed and neither one has felt it necessary to issue workplace protections for workers covered by both Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and MSHA. “An ETS is long overdue, and something should have been done at the beginning of the pandemic,” said President Roberts. “You would think that the government agencies that are charged with protecting workers on the job would not have to be forced to do so, but that is where we find ourselves today.”

Now, with the new CDC guidelines that vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask, states and businesses across the country immediately began to roll back their COVID protections. This leaves essential workers across the country to fend for themselves. This has created a very confusing situation for everyone, as well as making it virtually impossible to know who has been vaccinated and those who have not. “It
is ridiculous that government agencies did not have an ETS when we were all first aware of the pandemic,” said Secretary-Treasurer Allen. “Here we are more than a year later with COVID restrictions being lifted all across our country and yet nothing has been done to protect workers in this country. The primary focus of OSHA and MSHA is to ensure the safety of workers, and, quite frankly, they have failed to do just that.”

It is becoming clear that neither OSHA nor MSHA will be issuing an ETS and will be depending on vaccines to be all the protection workers need. “It is disappointing to see that while only 38 percent of the U.S. population has been vaccinated, the agencies do not feel workers need enforceable workplace protections in order to keep them safe from this deadly virus,” said President Roberts. “We will continue to push for an ETS until this pandemic is over. And while we have made great progress in pushing the virus back, we are certainly not out of the woods yet.”

Warrior Met Coal, We Won’t Back Down

On April 1, 2021 the UMWA International Executive Board announced unanimous support for the unfair labor practice strike against Warrior Met Coal. Negotiations between the UMWA and Warrior Met Coal have been going on since January 2021. After going on an unfair labor practice strike in April 21, 2021, the UMWA held its first of many solidarity rallies at Tannehill State Park in Bessemer, Alabama to bring miners, families and supporters together to discuss the importance of remaining diligent in the fight against the coal company. The UMWA has received an immense amount of support from our labor brothers and sisters, local politicians and the surrounding communities since announcing its action to strike.

The UMWA represents approximately 900 workers at Warrior Met’s #4 Mine, #5 Mine processing plant, #7 Mine and the company’s Central Shop, all located near Brookwood, Ala. The miners are members of UMWA Local Unions 2245, 2397, 2368 and 2427.

Warrior Met Coal recently paid bonuses to upper-level management, while miners accepted pay cuts in 2016 to keep the company viable after filing bankruptcy. “We risk our lives every day to go underground and do a dangerous job,” said Local Union 2397, Number 7 Mine and Longwall Shear Operator Josh Stewart. “We need to be compensated for that and taken care of. We work six, seven days a week, ten, twelve hours a day and miss all this time with our families. You miss time with your kids, your parents and you can’t get that time back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Local Union Mine Committeeman Brandon Lloyd has worked as a roof bolter for Warrior Met Coal Number 4 Mine for 12 years. “We all have to come out here and show Warrior Met that we’re still together on these picket lines and show them that we mean business and we’re not going to take being pushed around anymore. We’ve done it for five years, and it’s time that we all step up and do what we’re supposed to do and make this fight a success.” Brandon’s wife Brooke, along with other miners’ spouses, have established a food bank for the striking miners’ families walking the picket lines. “Right now, money is tight,” said Brooke. “People got to eat and their money needs to be going towards paying their bills, house payments and medical needs. Any little bit we can do to help, we just needed to do it. It’s as simple as that.”

Support Through Solidarity

Charles Smith, owner of Betty Hill Grocery, opens his store after closing hours at 7:00 p.m. on storming nights so that nearby miners can have shelter until the storm passes. He also brings ice to the picket lines whenever he can. “I support the striking miners because it’s the right thing to do,” said Charles. “Those miners are my neighbors and have supported my business for the past 20 years. They have been with us for all these years, now it’s time for the community to stand with them.”

During the fight for healthcare and pensions, we relied heavily on all UMWA active and retired members, nurses, corrections officers and anyone that saw our struggle and was ready to stand up and fight with us. “As retirees, we have been where they are at,” said Local Union 1928 President Pearly Longhorn. “We know what they’re going through. We’ve missed shifts and paychecks and we are here to show them that we support them in whatever they are doing. If I could tell the striking miners one thing right now it would be don’t give up. As President Roberts always says, we have to stick together; united we stand; divided we will fall. A hurt to one is a hurt to all.”

“Somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 workers die from occupational illnesses like black lung,” said President Roberts at one the many solidarity rallies held at Tannehill Park. “They’re dying because companies have historically failed to comply with respirable dust standards. Warrior Met Coal is a dangerous company to work for.”

UMWA Members Raising the Stakes

On May 25, 2021, hundreds of miners and their families marched to Warrior Met Coal #7 Mine’s North Portal. A group of 11 miners led by President Roberts blocked the mine entrance to stop scabs from entering or leaving the mine at shift change. They were arrested and charged by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff ’s Department with trespassing on company property. They were released on bond on May 26th, around 4:00 a.m. Later that day, the Union held a solidarity rally at Tannehill State Park, west of Birmingham.

Warrior Met workers made sacrifices that brought the company out of bankruptcy and while management was receiving bonuses, miners took pay cuts and benefit deductions. Wall Street doesn’t know us, our families or our communities,” said Local Union 2427 Recording Secretary Brian Seabolt. “We don’t need Wall Street corporate values operating these mines. We need Alabama working values. What the coal companies like Warrior Met don’t understand is that we want them to be successful, but they need to realize they can be both successful and fair to workers at the same time.”

Hundreds of our UMWA Brothers and Sisters are currently engaged in an Unfair Labor Practice Strike against Warrior Met Coal in Alabama. We have established a Strike Aid Fund and are accepting donations that will be used to help our Brothers and Sisters in their time of need. The UMWA International added the first $50,000 to the fund. This is to provide additional support on top of the selective strike benefits they receive. We want to thank those who have already contributed along with those who will contribute to assist our brothers and sisters in need. All donation checks are to be made out to the UMWA 2021 Strike Aid Fund, and mailed to:

UMWA 2021 Strike Aid Fund
P.O. Box 513
Dumfries, VA 22026

Black Lung Benefits

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), introduced a bill aimed towards helping the families of miners who have passed of black lung disease. The Relief for Survivors of Miners Act would help lift the burden off families who currently must provide proof that black lung was the substantial, contributing cause of death in order to access benefits.

The Bill would also ensure that miners and their families would have greater access to legal representation for their cases, as well as establishing a payment program for any attorneys’ fees and other medical expenses incurred while establishing their case. The program would also prevent the survivors of these miners from being turned away because of their income. Senator Manchin is joined by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) as cosponsors of the Bill.

The 1972 Black Lung Benefits Act provides monthly benefits to the surviving family members of coal miners who die from black lung disease. These benefits are paid for either by respective coal mining companies or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. The United States Government of Accountability Office (GAO) estimated in January, 2020, that $865 million in black lung benefit responsibility has been transferred to the fund due to coal company bankruptcies, with the fund currently in debt of around $4 billion to the U.S. Treasury.

In December, 2020, Congress added a one-year extension to the Black Lung Excise Tax, which funds the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, to its 2021 Omnibus spending bill. This is the second year that a one-year extension has been included in the spending bill. The current Excise Tax of $1.10 per ton of underground coal and 55 cents for surface coal will expire at the end of this year.

The UMWA is currently working with members of Congress to ensure the long-term solvency of the Trust Fund, as well as securing the needed funding for a more extended amount of time. Thousands of miners and their families depend on the modest benefits provided by this fund. Miners with no beneficiaries often receive less than $9,000 annually, while those with three or more dependents receive less than $16,500 per year.

“Miners have given their health and livelihoods to provide the electricity and steel that made this nation the superpower of the world,” said President Roberts. “The very least we could do is ensure that the miners and families who depend on these benefits are free from worry about having them reduced or eliminated.”