FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 5, 2017
[TRIANGLE, VA.] Levi D. Allen was sworn in today as the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International Secretary-Treasurer, replacing Robert J. Scaramozzino. Allen was sworn in by UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts in a ceremony in the Union’s Boardroom.
“This is the highest honor I could ever have expected to receive,” Allen said. “I am blessed to be able to work on behalf of the membership of this great union, and to work beside a tremendous leader like Cecil Roberts. We have many challenges confronting the members of the UMWA right now, and I pledge to them to do my very best to help overcome those challenges and move the union and its membership forward.”
A native of Moundsville, W. Va., Allen, 36, began his coal mining career in 2007, hiring into the McElroy mine (now the Marshall County mine) as a general inside laborer, working primarily at the coal face. After working as a beltman, he earned his electrician’s card and began working as a Mechanic/Electrician throughout the mine.
Allen was active in Local Union 1638 from his first day at work, and became the Local’s Recording Secretary in 2010. He was elected to the Mine Committee in 2012 and as Local Union President in 2014. He was recognized as a rising talent in the UMWA and was hired by President Roberts onto the International Staff in 2015.
“Levi is exceptionally qualified to be the UMWA’s Secretary-Treasurer,” Roberts said. “He is very intelligent and is a fast learner. His time in leadership roles at his local union gave him a strong grounding in how to deal with the day-to-day issues our members face on the job. I have every confidence that he will be a strong partner for me and a powerful advocate for our members in the years to come.”
