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UMWA members overwhelmingly ratify contract at Peabody’s Shoal Creek mine in Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

 

UMWA members overwhelmingly ratify contract at Peabody’s Shoal Creek mine in Alabama

 

[MCCALLA, AL.] Members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local Union 1948 yesterday ratified a new collective bargaining agreement at the Shoal Creek metallurgical coal mine in Alabama by a 63%-37% margin. The mine, operated by Peabody Energy, has been idled since October 4, 2020.

 

“I congratulate the membership of Local Union 1948,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “This ratification will pave the way for the reopening of this mine and means several hundred of our members who have been out of work for almost a year will be heading back to work very soon. I also commend the bargaining team who worked very hard to reach this agreement: International Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson, International District 20 Vice President Larry Spencer and District 20 Representative James Blankenship.

 

“This will provide an economic boost not just for our members and their families, but also to the communities where they live,” Roberts said. “And it provides a roadmap to settling the six-month strike at Warrior Met Coal in the same region.

 

“We now have two similar collective bargaining agreements in the coalfields of Alabama, at the Shoal Creek and Oak Grove mines,” Roberts said. “It’s time for Warrior Met to step up and reach this kind of fair and reasonable agreement with its workers. I remain ready to negotiate with Warrior Met day and night to reach that agreement and get everyone in Alabama back to work.”

 

The new Shoal Creek agreement includes an hourly wage increase and health care provisions consistent with the UMWA’s national coal agreement. There will also be a $5,000 ratification bonus paid to all union members. The agreement expires December 31, 2024.

 

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UMWA reaches tentative agreement with Peabody Energy at Shoal Creek mine in Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

 

UMWA reaches tentative agreement with Peabody Energy at Shoal Creek mine in Alabama

 

[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reached a tentative agreement with Peabody Energy at the company’s Shoal Creek mine in Alabama.

The mine has been closed since October 2020.

“We expect that if ratified, this agreement will allow the Shoal Creek mine to be reopened very soon,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said.

“We will take this tentative contract to the membership at Shoal Creek for their final say.

“The explanation to the membership and ratification vote will take place next week.”

This tentative agreement does not affect the ongoing unfair labor practice strike by the UMWA at Warrior Met Coal.

 

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“Open season on strikers in NLRB Region 10”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 25, 2021

 

“Open season on strikers in NLRB Region 10”

 

[MCCALLA, ALA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it will appeal the dismissal by National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 10 of several unfair labor practice charges relating to vehicular assault by Warrior Met Coal management personnel. The NLRB said there was “insufficient evidence that any pickets were struck” despite both video evidence and eyewitness testimony.

“The NLRB is asking us to disbelieve our own eyes,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Video of two of these assaults has been widely distributed by the media. I personally witnessed another one that occurred right in front of me. Additionally, we have testimony from eyewitnesses to two other assaults. This is an outrageous decision by NLRB Region 10, and we will fight it every step of the way.”

“To date, there has been no action taken by the Alabama State Police, the Tuscaloosa or Jefferson County Sherriff’s Departments or the City of Brookwood, all of who have some varying level of jurisdiction regarding these assaults,” Roberts said. “Now the federal agency charged with ensuring the right to peacefully strike has refused to act as well.

“It appears that it is now open season on strikers walking the picket lines anywhere in NLRB Region 10,” Roberts said. “Management and scabs can target them with their vehicles and our government refuses to protect them. We are forced to ask if there is no justice for workers in Alabama?”

 

 

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NLRB finds merit in unfair labor practices charges against Warrior Met

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 23, 2021

 

NLRB finds merit in unfair labor practices charges against Warrior Met

[MCCALLA, ALA.] The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Regional 10 Director has found merit in unfair labor practice charges the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) filed regarding Warrior Met Coal’s bad faith bargaining and its failure to provide the Union with information that the Company is obligated to provide in contract negotiations.

The NLRB notified Warrior Met on August 13, 2021 that it was prepared to issue a complaint if Warrior Met would not enter into a Settlement Agreement in which it agreed to cease and desist from this unlawful conduct.

“This is welcome news, but is no great surprise,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said today. “We have seen this company act in ways contrary to American labor law from the outset of this strike. We have filed multiple unfair labor practice charges in addition to those related to not bargaining in good faith.

“They have targeted our members and their families on the picket lines with vehicular assault and more,” Roberts said. “We will see where we go from here. We continue to call on the company to get serious about reaching an agreement that is fair and reasonable for both sides. As we wait, we continue our unfair labor practice strike.”

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UMWA congratulates Liz Shuler, new President of the AFL-CIO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 20, 2021

 

UMWA congratulates Liz Shuler, new President of the AFL-CIO

[TRIANGLE, VA.] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“The AFL-CIO Executive Council made history today by naming Elizabeth (Liz) Shuler as president of the federation. Finally, a woman has become the American labor movement’s leader! On behalf of the members of the UMWA, I congratulate her.

“This is a bittersweet moment for me and the UMWA, as this vote came after the loss of my friend and UMWA President Emeritus Rich Trumka. But I know that Rich is looking down at us with a smile today, for Liz will carry us forward on the path he began that will strengthen our movement and bring millions more workers into the better life and better jobs that a union contract provides.

“The future can be a bright one for America’s unions and especially the workers we represent. I have confidence that Liz and my friend Fred Redmond, who was elected as the new AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, are prepared to fulfill that promise, and we will do everything we can to help her do that.”

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UMWA mourns the loss of Joe Powell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 19, 2021

UMWA mourns the loss of Joe Powell

[CHARLESTON, W.VA.] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and brother Joe Powell, the former President of the West Virginia AFL-CIO. During his 23 years serving working families in that position, I had the opportunity to work with him on many issues, and he was always a stalwart supporter of the UMWA and every other union in West Virginia and across the nation.

“Joe served his country in World War II, he served his fellow workers for decades, he served the people of West Virginia on the West Virginia University Board of Trustees, but he was most especially proud of his family. We grieve with them at this time. The entire UMWA family sends our condolences to his wife, Nora, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

 

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Manchin, Labor Secretary Walsh, UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Sanson Tour Ohio County Coal Mine

 

 

MANCHIN, LABOR SECRETARY WALSH, UMWA SECRETARY-TREASURER SANSON TOUR OHIO COUNTY COAL MINE, PROMOTING THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL’S IMPACT ON COAL COMMUNITIES

 

To view photos of Senator Manchin, Secretary Walsh and Secretary-Treasurer Sanson’s tour, click here

 

Wheeling, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson toured the American Consolidated Natural Resources Ohio County Coal Resources Inc. Golden Ridge Portal Mine to view underground mining operations. They also discussed the impacts the bipartisan infrastructure bill would have on coal communities in West Virginia.

 

“Today, I had the opportunity to tour the Golden Ridge Portal Mine with my friends Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson and discussed the tremendous impacts the bipartisan infrastructure bill would have on West Virginia’s coal communities. For generations, West Virginia coal miners have made enormous sacrifices and done the heavy lifting to power our great nation. As our country and West Virginia move forward with emerging energy opportunities, we will not leave behind our coal communities,” said Senator Manchin. “I have always said the transition to a cleaner energy future must come from innovation, not elimination and the bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate will do just that. I look forward to working with Secretary Walsh to support and reinvest in coal communities across the Mountain State.”

 

“Our coal communities are a critical part of the bipartisan infrastructure investment bill and we must reinvest in them to create new opportunities in the clean energy industry,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. “The Department of Labor is committed to training miners and keeping workers safe on the job. I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Senator Manchin today and see firsthand how our miners do the hard work of powering our homes and cities. This infrastructure bill will bring innovation, invest in our energy producers, and build a modern infrastructure through good-paying union jobs.”

 

“We appreciate Secretary Walsh and Senator Manchin for coming to the Ohio County Mine to see a safe and productive operation in person,”said UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson.  “The UMWA and our local unions work hard to ensure that union mines are safe mines, and we hope Secretary Walsh was able to see that first hand today. We look forward to having further conversations with him about how we improve safety conditions for all miners throughout the United States.”

 

In August, the Senate passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) bipartisan infrastructure bill that will bring at least $3.8 billion to West Virginia for infrastructure investments over the next five years. The bipartisan infrastructure bill included Senator Manchin’s Energy Infrastructure Act – a robust energy and public lands infrastructure package that advanced out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a bipartisan basis.

 

The Energy Infrastructure Act would fund over $100 billion in energy and related infrastructure. Specifically, the bill would:

 

  • Carbon Capture: The bill would fund more than $12 billion for carbon capture technologies, including direct air capture and demonstration projects on coal, natural gas, and industrial plants and supporting CO2 infrastructure. It also funds work to advance use of coal, carbon, and CO2 for valuable products, including a demonstration in Appalachia.
  • Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation: The bill would fund $11.3 billion for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Fund. As of September 2020, there were at least 140,355 acres of unfunded AML problem areas in West Virginia, which would cost at least $1.78 billion. It also extends the collection of the AML Reclamation Fee for 13 years. This fee levied on coal provides funding for the AML program.
  • Hydrogen: The bill would fund $9.5 billion for hydrogen, including regional hydrogen hubs, of which two would be in the largest natural gas producing regions, including Appalachia. It would make NETL one of three lead laboratories for the new DOE hydrogen programs.
  • Grants for Small- and Medium-Sized Energy Manufacturers: The bill would fund $750 million in grants for small- and medium-sized manufacturers of advanced energy products in census tracts where coal mines or coal power plants have closed in recent years so that investment in energy jobs returns to the communities and workers who have powered our country for generations.
  • Demonstrating Clean Energy on Mine Lands: The bill also would fund a new Department of Energy clean energy demonstration program on current and former mine land to identify and address siting, permitting, and site remediation challenges.

 

To view photos of Senator Manchin, Secretary Walsh and Secretary-Treasurer Sanson’s tour,click here.

UMWA mourns the loss of UMWA President Emeritus Richard Trumka

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2021

UMWA mourns the loss of UMWA President Emeritus Richard Trumka

 

[TRIANGLE, VA] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E Roberts issued the following statement today.

“The global labor movement has lost a giant. Richard Trumka was more than the leader of the American Labor Movement, he was an unequaled voice for the workers around the world.

“Born the son of a coal miner in Nemacolin, PA, Richard learned the critical necessity for unions at an early age. His rise from coal miner to President of the UMWA to Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO and then to President of the AFL-CIO was an inspiration to us all. I had the honor of nominating Richard as Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO when he was first elected, and nominated him for that office and for the presidency, every election after that.

“Richard and I were partners in leadership at the UMWA for many years, but we were more than that. He was my brother, he was my friend, he was my confidant.

“The hearts and prayers of the entire UMWA family are with his wife, his children and his grandchildren. We will miss him terribly, but we know that he has joined Mother Jones, John L. Lewis, William Green, Phil Murray, and all other UMWA leaders who have gone before him.

“Rest in peace Brother. I will miss you.”

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More company violence on the Warrior Met picket line

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 9, 2021

 

More company violence on the Warrior Met picket line

 

[BROOKWOOD, AL.] The wife of a striking miner was hit while peacefully and legally walking a picket line at Warrior Met Coal here yesterday in other instance of company-inspired violence as Warrior Met attempts to intimidate strikers to return to work.

            “She was obeying the orders of the Sherriff’s Deputy to stay out of the way of vehicles as they were going in and out of the mine,” said United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts, who witnessed the incident. “Without any warning the driver of a Mazda pulled in, swerved toward her and struck her along her back and arm.”

            Amy Pinkerton, the woman who was struck, is the wife of Greg Pinkerton, a UMWA Local Union 2245 member who was a victim of another violent incident last month. A truck driven by Warrior Met personnel drove past a picket shack on the side of a road where Pinkerton was sitting, turned around and deliberately drove through the front of the shack and picket location, knocking a fire barrel 30 feet into Pinkerton. 

            “The deputy saw what happened to her,” Roberts said. “And then did nothing. This was a company foreman who committed this act of violence today. This is an intentional and ongoing pattern of vehicular assault perpetrated by high-level employees of Warrior Met. We need some equal justice from law enforcement here in Alabama.

            “I reiterate my call for Warrior Met’s CEO to meet with me as soon as possible so that we can negotiate a fair, reasonable and peaceful end to this strike,” Roberts said. “That is in the company’s best interests, the miners’ best interests and the communities’ best interests. This violence by company personnel has to stop.”

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UMWA marks beginning of fourth month of Warrior Met coal strike

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 1, 2021

UMWA marks beginning of fourth month of Warrior Met coal strike

[MCCALLA, AL.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) marked the beginning of the fourth month of its strike at Warrior Met Coal last night, with hundreds of union members, their families and supporters rallying here to express their firm resolve to win a fair and reasonable contract before returning to work.

“If Warrior Met is waiting for our members to quit and run back to work, then the company needs to quit waiting,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “It’s not going to happen. I know we are going to win this strike, because we are never going to quit.”

Roberts reiterated his call for higher-level negotiations to resolve the dispute, saying, “I have made myself available from day one to be part of this collective bargaining process, and Warrior Met knows that. But so far, they have not accepted that offer.

“The team the company has at the bargaining table either wants to continue to punish the workers and deny them what they’ve earned over the last five years, or they just do not have the authority to resolve this with a fair and decent contract. I am prepared to talk with the CEO or members of the Board of Directors at any time and at any place. Let’s get this resolved.”

Warrior Met could not have emerged from bankruptcy in 2016 without agreement by the UMWA workforce to severe sacrifices in pay, health care benefits, time off from work and more. The workers ratified the contract at that time to preserve their jobs with the understanding that a successful Warrior Met would reward them for their sacrifices. Despite realizing $1.1 billion in cost savings from the workers over the past five years and piling up revenues in excess of $4.3 billion in that timeframe, the company has refused to do so.

“What Warrior Met has offered up is just a tiny fraction of what the workers gave up five years ago,” Roberts said. “But these workers are tired of being mistreated on the job. They are tired of being forced to work on holidays and missing time with their families. They are tired of being tired after working 12-hour shifts six and sometimes seven days a week. Warrior Met knows it is exploiting these workers, and its time for it to stop.”

The UMWA continues to pay strike benefits and health care costs for members, as well as distributing money that has been donated to the union’s Strike Aid Fund. Roberts reported to the members at the rally that the union has distributed $4.3 million to the strikers during the three months of the strike:  $3.1 million in direct strike benefits and nearly $700,000 in health care costs from the UMWA Selective Strike Fund; and $500,000 to members from donations to the Strike Aid Fund.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and solidarity shown by other unions and individuals who have contributed to the Strike Aid Fund,” Roberts said. “The United Food and Commercial Workers alone have contributed $200,000 to that Fund, and other unions have sent significant donations as well. Every dime of the contributions to that fund goes directly to the strikers and their families. We are so appreciative of every donation.”

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