Source: Metro News
Date: April 2, 2025
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — UMWA President Cecil Roberts wants answers after job cuts to MSHA and NIOSH.
Roberts said during and appearance Wednesday on MetroNews Midday no one knows if local MSHA offices will remain or if they will relocate and how many mine inspectors that work out of those offices are still on staff.
“They don’t know how many federal inspectors have been caught up in this layoff and termination of workers that have been protecting miners for ages,” Roberts said. “No one has an answer for this.”
The experiences that have been shared with Roberts since the announcements have left many unsure about their futures.
Roberts said the more than 200 workers losing their jobs at NIOSH in Morgantown are seasoned professionals that do the research and testing on the products that improve working conditions, safety and save the lives of coal miners regularly.
“He got an email telling him not to come to work, and that was the extent of the information he got as to whether or not he had a job,” Roberts said of one worker he’s spoken with. “It sounds like these very experienced people are going to be laid off, terminated, or moved somewhere, and they don’t know what their future is.”
Referencing a picture on his wall citing the bravery of miners given to him by the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Sr., he expressed frustration at the appearance of a lack of understanding. He said he’s talked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when, as an anti-coal environmentalist years ago, but would especially appreciate the opportunity to speak with him as soon as possible.
“I’ll give him every opportunity—the doors will be open, and the phone lines are open if he would like to call and have a conversation,” Roberts said. “Or just send somebody down here to tell us what’s going on so we can prepare for it.” Roberts said. ”
Roberts said a good comparison would be if the 911 system went out in a county or municipality and there was no way to call for help. The communication blackout also continues with the federal government to the UMWA for information regarding the job action that has thousands of miners and families concerned.
“If an explosion took place, or a fire took place and nobody knows where the ambulance is coming from and nobody knows where the firefighters are,” Roberts said. “We would never tolerate that, but we seem to be tolerating it right now when it comes to coal miners.”
The bottom line is the UMWA needs a strong, reliable MHSA in order to maintain safety levels needed for these living-wage jobs.
“We need to continue to improve on the law that protects coal miners, and we need the personnel there that we can count on,” Roberts said. “On a daily basis, on a weekly basis, and God forbid in another terrible tragedy.”
Representatives of 23,000 West Virginian federal employees facing the possibility of job loss are scheduled to rally in front of the House of Delegates Chamber Thursday afternoon.
Written By: Mike Nolting
