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Miners Urge Congressional Action On Pensions, Black Lung Fund

Source: Ohio Valley Resource Retired coal miners and coal community activists are on Capitol Hill this week urging action on two important issues for miners: pensions and black lung benefits. Advocates say funds supporting both pensions for retired miners and the federal benefits for those sickened by black lung disease are at risk if Congress […]

Jefferson County coal mine to be bought for $400 million

Source: Birmingham Business Journal A private Birmingham coal producer is selling a coal mine in Jefferson County to a major public company. Peabody (NYSE: BTU) is purchasing Shoal Creek metallurgical coal mine from Drummond Company Inc. for $400 million. The purchase price is subject to customary working capital adjustments. Located on the Black Warrior River […]

A Life Built From Underground

Source: The Register-Herald It was a normal Friday in 1971 when a young man returning home from the Vietnam War decided to become a coal miner. Unaware that he would later become the longest serving president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), Cecil Roberts stepped foot in his first coal mine as a sixth […]

UMWA statement on the sale of the Shoal Creek mine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 [MCCALLA, AL] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today, in response to the announcement of a potential sale of the Shoal Creek mine in Alabama from Drummond Coal to Peabody Energy: “As always, the UMWA’s mission is to keep our […]

Boat Captain Richard Palmer draws on his experience to Save Lives

Captain Richard Palmer, a Member of Local Union 1473 in sub 6 District 31, has been maneuvering the waters of the Ohio River since he was nine-years-old when his father, Captain Richard “Dick” Palmer, captained a ferry boat down the Ohio River, between Dilles Bottom, Ohio and Moundsville, West Virginia. Brother Palmer, a Navy Veteran […]

The Real Story about Miners, Black Lung and the Life and Death Struggle for Benefits

Recent studies show that the occurrence of Pneumoconiosis, or Black Lung disease, among coal miners across the Nation has skyrocketed beyond anything ever seen before in the industry. Younger, less experienced miners are contracting the disease at an earlier age, subjecting them to a shortened and debilitating existence until they ultimately succumb to the ravages […]

UMWA Remembers 911

President Roberts reflects on the sacrifices made 17 years ago on September 11 and asks us all to take a moment and remember the first responders who gave their lives for us on that day. Below is the commemorative video made by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA asking everyone to NEVER FORGET.

UMWA delivers 1,700 letters from retirees and widows to congressional pension committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today delivered 1,756 letters written by UMWA retirees, their families and widows to the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Funds, asking the Committee to take action to preserve the pensions they earned in a lifetime of […]

UMWA reserves TV ad time for West Virginia independent expenditure campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 [CHARLESTON, W.V.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reserved $360,000 in television advertising in four West Virginia media markets for an independent expenditure effort in support of the re-election of Sen. Joe Manchin. “There is no stronger voice in the United States Senate […]

Labor has its Day with November in mind

Source: West Virginia Metro News MARMET, W.Va. — Before the Labor Day parade in Marmet began Monday morning, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., stood beside local union members and United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts for a photo. After the photos were taken, Manchin talked to a handful of people about the importance of […]

Southern West Virginia brings in national labor leaders on Labor Day

Source: Beckley Register-Herald It would seem that a small park along the Big Coal River in Boone County wouldn’t serve as a national Labor Day celebration location, but with the 2018 general election right around the corner, it was just that. Hundreds of members from District 17 of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) […]

UMWA celebrates 80th annual Labor Day rally

Source: Fox 11 News BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — The 80th annual UMWA Labor Day celebration kicked off Monday in Boone County with union workers and politicians out in full force for the event. “Re-elect people who vote for you,” UMWA President, Cecil E. Roberts shouted. The United Mine Workers of America was a political powerhouse […]

Labor Day rally in Mannington emphasizes importance of unions, American workers

Source: Fairmont News MANNINGTON – United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, both attended the Labor Day rally held Sunday at Hough Park in Mannington. The annual event draws hundreds of union members and supporters and also serves as a political rallying point during major election years. Roberts recognized […]

The UMWA Pension Fight – We will not back down!

27 rallies, 11 different cities, 100,000 attendees… and the fight to preserve your pensions continues.   The UMWA will NOT back down. We will NOT go away. And we must all be prepared to continue the fight!

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