News Archive - United Mine Workers of America

Closure of MSHA inspectors’ office in Ontario County leaves future of mine safety inspections uncertain

Source: News 10 NBC

Date: April 16, 2025

GENEVA, N.Y. – The Trump administration’s efforts to cut expenses have led to the cancellation of hundreds of federal leases, including one in Ontario County. This lease termination affects a federal agency responsible for miner safety, raising concerns about the future of inspections in the region.

Shane Chiappone, a miner at American Rock Salt, emphasized the importance of regular inspections.

Chiappone serves as the president of the United Steel Workers Local 763, the union that represents roughly 250 employees at American Rock Salt, so he recognizes the value in having independent inspectors visit the mine on a regular basis.

“It’s very important. It’s important for all of us who work there, union and non-union,” said Chiappone.

The Department of Government Efficiency, (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, has terminated 653 federal leases, saving $350 million. This includes the Geneva field office of the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which had an annual lease of $52,000.

Erin Bates, spokesperson for the United Mine Workers of America, expressed concern.

“It’s concerning to the miners that are working day in and day out in a very dangerous job to not have the mine inspectors in a close distance from their mine sites,” said Bates.

The Geneva office, one of only two in New York, has been home to nearly a dozen inspectors for over 20 years. Matthew DiDuro, the building’s landlord, confirmed the lease termination.

“They sent us a note saying that our lease would be terminated as of September 30 of this year,” said DiDuro.

What is still unclear is whether inspectors’ jobs would be moved to other offices or eliminated entirely.

“In this case, yeah, we lost our lease – or we’re going to, but more importantly, I get concerned about these agents and if they’re going to lose their jobs as well,” said DiDuro.

The Department of Labor did not clarify the inspectors’ fate but in a statement said:

“Mine Safety and Health Administration inspectors continue to conduct legally required inspections and remain focused on MSHA’s core mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners.”

Bates highlighted the lack of communication. “We don’t know if these inspectors are losing their jobs and there’s going to be job losses or if they’re just going to be relocated,” said Bates.

Chiappone says despite the cuts, he believes as long as there are mines, MSHA will have some form of presence.

“Whether or not they have to travel a little further to get to and from the mine, wherever their new office is going to be, I hope it doesn’t have any effect on us,” said Chiappone.

The Albany office’s lease has also been terminated, leaving the nearest location in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, about 270 miles away.

Written by: Brett Davidsen

Protect America’s Workforce Act

We support Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden’s bipartisan bill because protecting workers’ rights and ensuring government efficiency should go hand in hand. Stripping collective bargaining rights under the guise of improving performance is a misguided approach that threatens workplace stability and morale.

The Protect America’s Workforce Act takes a smarter path —preserving bargaining rights where they don’t compromise national security and recognizing their role in promoting accountability and effective governance.

Our nation’s security should never come at the cost of silencing the workers who help uphold it. This legislation strikes the right balance, proving that fairness and efficiency are not at odds but essential to a strong and stable workforce.

This bill expands the coverage of requirements governing workplace safety and health to include protection for federal, state, and local government employees. However, the bill does not cover working conditions otherwise covered by federal requirements for mine safety and health.

The bill revises requirements governing worker protection, including by:

Expanding protections for whistle-blowers, such as protections for employees who refuse to perform work because they reasonably believe the work would result in serious injury or illness and for employees who aid inspections;
Directing employers to furnish a hazard-free place of employment to all individuals performing work, not just employees;
Directing employers to report work-related deaths or certain injuries, illnesses, or hospitalizations;
Requiring the Department of Labor to investigate fatalities or significant incidents in the workplace;
Establishing rights for victims, or representatives of victims, with respect to inspections or investigations of work-related bodily injuries or deaths;
Setting the permitted period for employers to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations while citations for the violations are being contested;
Increasing civil and criminal penalties for certain violations;
Expanding enforcement requirements relating to state occupational safety and health plans;
Expanding requirements for workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and
Requiring Labor to provide training programs concerning employee rights and employer responsibilities.

In addition to Golden, a Democrat, and Fitzpatrick, a Republican, the bill was sponsored by Democratic Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Republican Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Mike Turner (OH-10) and Mike Lawler (NY-17).

Click here to read the bill.

NIOSH layoffs to have direct effects on coal miners

Source: MSN

Date: April 2, 2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/money/coal-miners-impacted-by-niosh-layoffs/vi-AA1CbdSE?t=17&ocid=socialshare

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Following layoffs at Morgantown’s NIOSH location this week, organizations are speaking out to let the public know of the effects it will have in different industries, including coal mining.

NIOSH’s Morgantown location is responsible specifically for the respiratory disease division that monitors coal dust and silica research, manages the lung x-ray program, and oversees the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). With the loss of jobs in this department, coal miners across the state worry about what their futures may look like.

It’s statistically proven that Appalachian coal miners are more likely than coal miners in general to be diagnosed with black lung due to the harder and more narrow rock, which leads to more silica dust exposure.

With NIOSH’s research and monitoring programs, both active and retired coal miners could receive the screening and treatment needed to reduce the number of deaths caused by this preventable disease.

“We pushed so hard to have a silica standard, and then, of course, the second that the silica standard gets approved and gets passed and funded, they decide to shut down the offices that are supposed to be helping to enforce it,” United Mine Workers of America’s (UMWA) communication director, Erin Bates said in an interview with 12 News.

Without these programs, people in the mining industry and researchers are scrambling to find what else can be done to serve coal miners in our region.

“What’s done is done. NIOSH has closed its offices and let go of its employees, that is going to hurt the job market in West Virginia to not have this facility. If the plan is to open up another facility, you know, cut costs and then rebuild, we would be in support of that, but to eliminate these jobs and not have anything in place is going to put a lapse in care for these miners,” Bates said.

The future of MSHA is also up in the air right now, as Bates said 34 locations may not renew their leases, which would leave coal mines abandoned by the agency that enforces mandatory safety regulations and inspections of mine disasters.

“I would be hard pressed to find someone in West Virginia that doesn’t have some connection to coal. This is affecting their neighbors, this is affecting their family, this is affecting their friends, this is affecting their community. Without NIOSH, they are not able to monitor and maintain a living that these miners deserve. Without NIOSH, they are not able to do the research and the monitoring that is necessary in order to fight black lung cases in West Virginia,” said Bates.

With so many questions still left unanswered for NIOSH employees, coal miners, and countless other organizations affected by the agency’s closing, you can be sure that we will keep you updated on these developing stories.

Written By: Jalyn Lamp

UMWA says NIOSH layoffs could affect coal mining safety

Source: WDTV

Date: April 2, 2025

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown will soon be scaled back significantly, and employees aren’t the only ones worried about the layoffs. Coal miners used research from NIOSH daily to keep themselves safe. Now with the jobs gone, they’re worried about what’s coming next.

“A huge surprise to the United Mine Workers, that they are willing to shut down so many offices within NIOSH including a lot of the mining programs within NIOSH, for example, the Morgantown office holds the respiratory disease division,” said Erin Bates, United Mine Workers of America Director of Communications.

While most may not realize it, NIOSH is integral to coal mining in West Virginia. According to mining officials, they offered programs specifically designed to help keep miners safe.

“Lung X-ray programs, MSHA’s Part 90 program, which protects these miners from respiratory diseases to close this office is going to have a huge effect on the miners that are in the area,” said Bates.

The UMWA fears there will be even more government cuts, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) might be axed. Officials want solutions.

“I hope there is a plan in place were hoping that they have taken that into consideration that is going to be detrimental not only to the miners in the area,” said Bates.

Written by: Caine Pittman

UMWA leader says answers needed now regarding federal cuts

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

UMWA President Cecil Roberts: We can mine more coal, but who will buy it

Source: WVNews

Date: April 4, 2025

United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts says he’s supportive of efforts to ramp up coal production. That means more jobs and tax revenues for coal-producing states, including his native West Virginia.

But as Roberts pointed out in a phone interview, what’s missing is a marketplace for it. Half of West Virginia’s coal production is exported, but that’s under threat from a Trump administration trade proposal.

Domestically, coal has declined to 15% of electric power generation. There are few signs that utilities are about to reverse their long decommitment from coal.

“In order to double the production of coal, you have to have a place for it to go. That seems to be the first hurdle here, where are we going to sell this coal? And who’s going to buy it?”

“There’s places around the world that are still using coal, where we’re taking advantage of that. We’re about to lose that possibility here, as opposed to having a marketplace where we can survive in a manner that we have been we’re going to lose that if we don’t fix that. That’s number one.”

Roberts says bringing back domestic steel production would increase demand for metallurgical coal. Nucor is building a steel plant in Mason County, though it will be powered by electricity, and at least some of that electricity will be generated by renewables.

“Number two, we have to have a marketplace here in United States. If it’s going to be a domestic marketplace, then we have to have a steel industry. We’re going to mine more met coal and sell it in the United States. We can mine all the met coal that you could possibly mine. That’s got to go somewhere. Somebody’s got to buy it.”

Roberts has announced he’s retiring from the UMWA in October.

UMWA’s Roberts delivers keynote address at event to recognize Vietnam veterans

Source: MetroNews

Date: March 30, 2025

NITRO, W.Va. — UMWA President Cecil Roberts helped lead Sunday’s special recognition of Vietnam veterans in Nitro.

The soon-to-be-retired Roberts gave the keynote address at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event at Nitro Living Memorial Park.

“It’s very moving when you think about the time you were in Vietnam,” Roberts told reporters. “We (the UMWA) clean that wall (Vietnam Memorial Wall) every year and I’ve seen men lay down their cleaning supplies and pause for a moment because they saw someone’s name the served with.”

Roberts said he didn’t experience the hate that other Vietnam veterans did when they returned home. He said he attributes a lot of that to being from West Virginia.

“The airports were pretty tough though,” he said. “If someone is willing to give their life for this country you have no business of saying anything but thank you.”

Roberts said laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was probably the best experience he’s had in his life on a personal level.

Sunday’s activities featured recognitions, speeches and information. Representatives from the West Virginia Veterans Administration were there to address questions about benefits and eligibility.

Written By: Jeff Jenkins

Members Only: UMWA Reaches Agreement with Eagle Creek Racine Hydro

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Cecil Roberts: Workers’ rights on the chopping block (opinion)

Source: WVgazettemail

Date: March 18, 2025

Legislation advancing in the West Virginia Legislature to end civil service protections for new hires in some state agencies is yet one more example of how far West Virginia has fallen regarding caring about workers and their rights on the job.

Our state was once a place where all workers were treated with respect. Today, it seems as if the state government can’t move fast enough to drive working families to the bottom of the barrel, stripping away rights won long ago in bloody struggles with coal barons and other out-of-state operatives.

Supporters of House Bill 2008 will say that its provisions ending merit-based civil service protections and the state’s grievance procedure at some agencies will not affect anyone currently working for the state. But people retire every day and new employees are hired to fill those positions. People constantly move to different jobs within state government. Those people will lose the protections long afforded them by state law.

But why? What have they done to have their rights as workers taken away? I have not seen or heard of any example of a worker who abused their position so badly that these protections should be stripped away from an entire group of workers.

And let’s get real here: This is just the beginning. These are but the first group of workers who would be subject to this gutting of basic rights on the job. There will be more in the future. Before long West Virginians will be left with a state workforce without any protections and subject to the political whims of whoever is in charge. That’s a recipe for the long-term destruction of a fair and even-handed approach to providing state services.

The UMWA represents hundreds of West Virginia state employees, and we are proud to do so. We believe they deserve the same rights and respect on the job that any other worker anywhere has a right to expect. We will continue to stand up for them, because we believe going to work for the government should not mean that a worker has to give up basic rights. Nor should it mean that a person must meet some political litmus test to get a job serving all West Virginians.

I recognize the political reality in Charleston these days. This legislation is very likely to become law. But all West Virginians should recognize what it means: The degradation of workers, their families and their communities continues in our state. That’s a legacy none of us should be proud of.

Cecil Roberts is international president of the United Mine Workers of America.

By: Cecil E. Roberts

Willow Grove memorial

On March 15, 2025, UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts and Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson attended the Willow Grove memorial service outside Nelms, OH. International District 31 Vice President Mike “Biggin” Payton emceed the memorial service before more than a hundred attendees, including family members of the 72 miners killed in the tragedy in 1940.

“We gather here and at other places like it in the coalfields every year so that we can pay our respects to those lost and their families,” President Roberts said. “We will never forget their sacrifice and rededicate ourselves to continuing our fight for safer mines and workplaces. We want no other lives to be lost and no other families to suffer the unending grief of suddenly losing a parent or sibling simply because they went to work that day.”

A committee of UMWA retirees, active members and staff have worked tirelessly for several years to create a proper memorial for them. Work at the site is ongoing.