Archives: Journal

This is for all Journal Pages

The Promise of 1946

lewis krug

John L. Lewis and Secretary of the Interior Julius Krug sign the historic Krug-Lewis Agreement in the White House that ended the 1946 UMWA strike and created the UMWA Health and Welfare Funds. President Harry S. Truman (seated to the left of Krug) ensured the U.S. Government was the guarantor of the Agreement.

To the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) a promise is never taken lightly and without careful consideration. The terms and conditions of any agreement establishes a binding arrangement that will last for years, decades or indefinitely. A promise creates a bond between parties that obligates everyone involved to honor. Living up to the terms of an agreement defines trustworthiness and integrity of the individual, institution, business or government making the promise.

The Promise of 1946, also known as the Krug-Lewis Agreement (Agreement), was a deal struck between the United States Government, the United Mine Workers of America and accepted by the coal operators to end a nationwide strike by the Union following the end of World War II. With President Truman looking on, the historic Agreement was signed by Interior Secretary Julius Krug and John L. Lewis in the White House a week after the United States Government seized the mines. Among other things, the Agreement created a welfare and retirement fund and a separate medical and hospital fund. The two were later combined to create the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds (The Funds).

tesimony
“I have pleaded your case from the pulpit and from the public platform – not in the quavering tones of a feeble mendicant asking alms, but in the thundering voice of the captain of a mighty host, demanding the rights to which free men are entitled.” – John L. Lewis

“The Promise made in the White House in 1946 did several things, but none was more important than guaranteeing retirement security for coal miners and their families for their service to the Nation, including cradle to grace health care,” stated President Roberts. ” Since that time, Union miners have continuously worked to energize and protect their Country. To this day UMWA Members faithfully uphold their end of the agreement, and we intend to hold the government accountable.cer_hearing

“Congress must take action to fix the health care and pension problem facing miners,” President Roberts continued. “Or tens of thousands of miners and surviving spouses will begin losing their health care at the end of this year. Congress must act now.”

President Roberts testifies before the Senate Finance Committee pressing the Committee members on the importance of bringing S. 1714 to a vote. He stressed that honoring the Promise of 1946 before the end of this year was imperative if Congress was to prevent tens of thousands of miners and their surviving spouses from losing their hard-earned health care.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT THE JOURNAL DEPARTMENT (JOURNAL@UMWA.ORG OR 703-291-2405) AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL.

L.U. 105 Members caring for others

Tammy Ramsey and Diedra Mays are two of more than 70 members of UMWA Local Union 105 in District 17 who work at Parkview Nursing Home. The 120-bed facility located in Pikeville, KY provides area patients with both short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care, including end-of-life services.

The Union has been the bargaining agent at Parkview since 1997 representing all the employees at the facility who are no supervisors. The members include; Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), maintenance, laundry, housekeeping, kitchen and activities staff. Work shifts vary from 12 hours a day for CNAs to between 7 1/2 and 8 hours for the other classification.

“These are some of the most experienced and caring people I know,” said International District 17 Vice President Joe Carter. “Working in health care can really take a toll on you both physically and mentally, especially in a nursing home where each patient’s needs can be so different from every other. It’s such specialized care and every member working at Parkview plays such an important role in the lives of the patients. They are truly special people.”

Deidra has been working at the nursing home since 1999 and is currently serving as L.U. 105 Recording Secretary. Tammy, who is the Local President, began working at the facility in 1989. Both have experienced the stresses working at a nursing home can have on the employees.

“The physical aspects of caring for some patients can be overwhelming at times,” stated Tammy. “Lifting patients from the beds to the shower or onto chairs and making sure they have the assistance they need during the day can be difficult. We see our share of sprains, strains, and sometimes worse injuries among the staff.”

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT THE JOURNAL DEPARTMENT (JOURNAL@UMWA.ORG OR 703-291-2405) AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL.

UMWA Correction Officers attend Training

Members of seven UMWA correction officers local unions participated in classroom and range training on May 26, in Ridgeway, Pa. The morning session began with opening remarks by President Roberts and Secretary-Treasurer Kane.

“Many times we miss the significant roles that Corrections and Police Officers play in our daily lives,” stated President Roberts. “They are always there placing themselves in harms way to protect each one of us. Patrolling the streets of cities and towns to ensure we are safe and maintaining order and security in prisons to safeguard the public is extremely taxing and dangerous work. But this is who they are. This is the sacrifice they make on our behalf every single day. They are truly dedicated and patriotic women and men. I am so proud to know that they are my UMWA Brothers and Sisters.”

The classroom instruction was presented by International District 2 Vice President Ed Yankovich, who has been deeply involved with many of these Local Unions even before they were officially chartered by the UMWA. The training centered around contract enforcement with special emphasis on grievance handling and record keeping. “These are some of the finest members we have in our Union,” said Vice President Yankovich. “They are hard working and committed public servants who must perform professionally under some very difficult circumstances.”

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT THE JOURNAL DEPARTMENT (JOURNAL@UMWA.ORG OR 703-291-2405) AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL.

Miners Protection Act Stuck in Finance Committee

 Allies Push for a Vote

The Miners’ Protection Act (S. 1714), the bill to preserve UMWA retirees’ pensions and health care, has been stuck in the Senate Finance Committee since President Roberts’ March 1, 2016 testimony in favor of the bill. This despite repeated expressions of support from Democrats and Republicans on the committee. Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has expressed his support for taking action to pass the legislation, and Republican Finance Committeee Members Rob Portman (OH), Richard Burr (NC) and Pat Roberts (KS) are all co-sponsors of the legislation. The Democrats on the bill are unanimously in favor of the legislation and sent a letter to Chairman Hatch in May expressing their support and asking for a committee vote.

“We have the votes in the committee to get this bill out and onto the floor of the Senate,” President Roberts said. “We just can’t get a vote, even though the Chairman says he supports it…”

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT THE JOURNAL DEPARTMENT (JOURNAL@UMWA.ORG OR 703-291-2405) AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL.

Secretary-Treasurer Kane talks Politics

 

Kane journal story 1

Secretary-Treasurer Kane discusses the consequences of the EPA Clean Power Plan Rule with members prior to one of many UMWA rallies.

“The UMWA is battling on many fronts to secure jobs for active miners and retirement security for pensioners and their families.  Many of these problems have political solutions.”

 

Kane Journal story 2

Secretary-Treasurer Kane addresses the Delegates to the 55th Consecutive Constitutional Convention. The lack of political support for working men and women were the focus of his remarks.

“Endorsing candidates by the Union is a straight-forward process.  The membership determines who the best candidate is at every level of the selection process.”

 

 

Kane Journal story 3Secretary-Treasurer Kane discusses the legislation to fix UMWA retiree benefits with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“In order to pass legislation, we need to move it through 435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 Senators without anyone deciding to kill it.  We have been very close to accomplishing this in the past two Congressional sessions, and we are continuing to do all we can to move that legislation forward in the current Congress.”

 

To read the full article, contact the Journal Department (journal@umwa.org or 703-291-2405) and subscribe to the United Mine Workers Journal.

Supreme Court puts Clean Power Plan on hold

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) on February 9, 2016. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of this misguided rule,” stated President Roberts.  “While some may wonder why the Court took this unprecedented action, I would suggest they look at the harm that the EPA’s MACT standards inflicted on coal miners and their communities before it could be overturned on appeal by the Court.  There needs to be some sense of reasonableness with the issuance of these Rules.  The Agency seems to be throwing everything they can against the wall just to see what sticks.  It has become ridiculous.”

 

The UMWA has been actively fighting against the CPP since it was originally proposed, including holding rallies in Pittsburgh and at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to protest the rule. Union leaders and rank-and-file members testified against the rule in hearings held around the country last summer.

 

The EPA originally proposed the CPP with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 23 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The final Rule increased the reduction levels required under CPP to 32 percent.

 

While the Supreme Court stay is in effect, the first round of legal action against the CPP will take place in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia this fall. The UMWA is part of a group of organizations that have sued to overturn the CPP. A decision is expected before the end of the year, which will almost certainly be appealed to the Supreme Court for a final ruling.

 

To read the full article, contact the Journal Department (journal@umwa.org or 703-291-2405) and subscribe to the United Mine Workers Journal.

UMWA on the March in Waynesburg, PA!

DSC_0326

President Roberts, along with thousands of UMWA members and supporters, begin the march from the Waynesburg Airport to the Greene County Fairgrounds for the April 1 Solidarity Rally.

April 1 has great significance for the United Mine Workers of America. It is a day that represents the Union’s triumph over countless struggles throughout its history. This year UMWA members, their families and friends fathered in Waynesburg, PA, to commemorate this important date. While there were many references to the Union’s past victories, ‘Mitchell Day’ 2016 was about putting anyone who suppresses the rights of workers on notice. The UMWA will be there to confront and defeat those who attempt to steal the benefits UMWA members have earned over a lifetime of work. And the Union will oppose anyone who tries to turn back the clock on the gains made by middle class Americans.

Journal article 1 pic 1

UMWA members assembled at the Waynesburg Airport in preparation for the Solidarity March.  Thousands of UMWA members, their families and supporters drove or road buses to participate.

With more than 5,000 UMWA members, families and supporters close behind President Reberts, Secretary-Treasurer Kane, members of the International Executive Board and a host of Union Leaders and Elected Officials led over a mile-long march from the Waynesburg Airport to rally at the Greene County Fairgrounds. The event was held to demonstrate the Union’s solidarity and marks the beginning of the latest phase of the UMWA’s campaign to stop the assault on American workers and the destruction of their communities. In the past decade alone members of the UMWA have fought vigorously against the ill-conceived policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the immoral use of the Nation’s despicable bankruptcy laws by coal operators seeking to shed their responsibility to UMWA workers and retirees and the unrelenting efforts by big business and the wealthy class to roll back workers’ rights and protections. The march in Waynesburg represents an escalation in the Union’s tactics to stop these efforts and restore fairness to the system.

Journal Picture 2

“In the history of the world, no one ever gave anything to working people. We have had to struggle and fight for everything we have ever achieved,” stated President Roberts. “We have earned every wage increase, pension check and health care benefit we have received. But none of the gains by working people were ever accomplished easily or by a single individual. They were achieved by the concerted and deliberate action of all workers. We all must remember that Gandhi marched, Moses marched, Dr. King marched and Jesus march to attain justice for the oppressed. Today, all those who would deny workers their rights had better take notice, the United Mine workers of America is marching.”

To read the full article, contact the Journal Department (journal@umwa.org or 703-291-2405) and subscribe to the United Mine Workers Journal.

Members of Local Union 4921 Ratify New Contract

On Friday, September 18 members of Local Union 4921 voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement with New River Healthcare Association (New River or Association).  The Contract includes additional paid time off, two floating holidays, and a $2.00-an-hour wage increase over the life of the agreement, among other gains. 

“This contract represents a lot of hard work on the part of the bargaining team and all the members of Local Union 4921, stated District 17 Vice President Carter.  That solidarity and teamwork is also apparent in the member’s work at New River. They are dedicated healthcare providers and an extremely important part of the communities they serve, he noted.  They are truly great ambassadors for the UMWA and have been since they were first organized in 1995.”

The Association serves three counties at seven locations in southeastern West Virginia.  These facilities provide medical, dental, rehabilitation, children’s health, black lung, and a host of other services to members in the surrounding communities.  “New River is a fantastic healthcare system, stated Local Union President Brenda Halsey.  It is a community-oriented organization, the people who work here have deep roots in the community and they care about the patients they serve like family,” She said.   A lot of the new patients we see are referrals from other patients.  It’s like a club and once they come in and get comfortable they stay.”

The sheer volume of activity can sometimes be challenging as Doris Connie knows all too well.  “I am one of 10 communications specialists at New River,” Doris noted.  We answer hundreds of telephone calls each day.  Everything from scheduling appointments to taking a few minutes just to talk with the caller and hopefully make their day a little better.  We are the first contact many people have with New River and it’s nice to be able to help them get to where they need to be.” 

The Breathing Center at New River’s Scarbro location is the first stop for many people who receive testing for black lung and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  “Many of the people we see here for lung problems are patient referrals,” said X-ray Technician Lisa Craddock.  Sometimes they just aren’t comfortable traveling to a hospital to get x-rays and testing.  We offer a more convenient location and a sense of community that often eases some of their fears,” she stated.  The work is really rewarding and it is great to be able to help people when you can.”

The Breathing Center also works with patients to apply for state black lung benefits and while they cannot process federal claims, they do assist miners with the disease begin the filing procedure.  While miner claims are pending they are provided pulmonary rehabilitation at the facility.

“The members of Local Union 4921 provide so many essential services to the community, said President Roberts.  “They represent what is the very best of the Union.  No one can question the difficult life and death circumstances these workers deal with every day,” he stated.  Yet they not only face each situation with compassion and love, they manage to bring some comfort to the people they serve.  They are very special people.”