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UMWA reaches letter of agreement with RemArms to pave way for reopening of Ilion plant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 2, 2021

 

[ILION, N.Y.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reached a letter of agreement that will pave the way for reopening the former Remington Arms plant here.

 

The letter formalizes language between the union and RemArms, the plant’s new operator, that recognizes the union as the hourly employees’ collective bargaining agent when they return to work, establishes a recall process for more former Remington workers to be called back, and sets up a 60-day timeframe for the parties to begin negotiating a full collective bargaining agreement that will be in effect upon ratification.

 

“This letter of agreement was a long time in the making,” said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts. “It is the first step toward reestablishing a normal relationship between the union and the operators of that plant, one that will allow the professional craftspeople who have built firearms in Ilion to return to doing what they do better than anyone.

 

“There is more to do here,” Roberts said. “The company needs product to sell and we fully understand and support that. We are pleased that UMWA members will soon be going back to work at the plant, if the company holds to its expected timetable. The next step is to negotiate a full collective bargaining agreement that the members can ratify and then get operations fully back to normal.

 

“Our members in Central New York have been through a lot the past year,” Roberts said. “They suffered many setbacks. But they never gave up, they never gave in, they never wavered from their determination to fight for their jobs and their union. They have been the driving force that has led to this day, and I could not be prouder of them.”

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UMWA issues strike notice at Alabama’s Warrior Met Coal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 31, 2021

UMWA issues strike notice at Alabama’s Warrior Met Coal

[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) yesterday afternoon issued an unfair labor practice strike notice at Warrior Met Coal, Inc., to begin at 10:30 p.m. CDT on April 1, 2021. The notice covers more than 1,100 workers at all of the company’s operations, including the #4 mine, the #5 preparation plant, the #7 mine and its Central Shop.

“Our members are the reason Warrior Met even exists today,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “They made the sacrifices to bring this company out of the bankruptcy of Walter Energy in 2016.

“These productive, professional miners at Warrior Met mined the coal that meant the company could become successful again,” Roberts said. “And Warrior Met has capitalized on their hard work, earning tens of millions in profits for their Wall Street owners. They have even rewarded upper management with bonuses of up to $35,000 in recent weeks.

“But today, instead of rewarding the sacrifices and work of the miners, Warrior Met is seeking even further sacrifices from them, while demonstrating perhaps some of the worst labor-management relations we’ve seen in this industry since the days of the company town and company store,” Roberts said.

“Despite repeated attempts by our negotiating team to bridge the differences we have at the bargaining table, Warrior Met is going backwards,” Roberts said. “We have always been ready to reach a fair agreement that recognizes the sacrifices our members and their families made to keep this company alive. At this point, Warrior Met is not.”

The UMWA has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board relating to Warrior Met’s conduct during negotiations, and expects to prevail on the merits of those charges.

UMWA dues-paying members who participate in picket line or other strike duty will receive bi-weekly strike assistance payments from the union’s Selective Strike fund. The union is procuring health care coverage for members and their families for the duration of the strike.

“Nobody in their right mind ever wants to strike,” Roberts said. “But sometimes the company’s actions and disregard for the welfare of workers and their families forces a strike. This is one of those times. Our members at Warrior Met should know that they have the full backing of the entire International Union and working families across Alabama, the United States and the world. Despite Warrior Met’s apparent appetite for this conflict, we will prevail.”

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Honoring America’s Vietnam Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 29, 2021

Honoring America’s Vietnam Veterans

[TRIANGLE, VA.] As the United States marks National Vietnam War Veterans Day, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President and Vietnam veteran Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“Although it has been more than 50 years since I came home from Vietnam, the memories are never very far away. More than 2,700,000 young Americans served in Vietnam, more than 58,000 names are etched in the black granite of the Wall in their honor in Washington, D.C.

“We must never forget their sacrifice, nor the bravery and commitment of those who faced combat yet still came home. For all those who served with honor but were never welcomed back to this country, I say ‘Welcome Home.’

“And for those of my Vietnam veteran friends in West Virginia, which will mark Vietnam War Veterans Day tomorrow, March 30, I sincerely wish we could all gather together as we usually do. I am already making plans to be in Charleston for this event in 2022, and I hope to see you there as well.”

Note: The UMWA’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkebqsb_EYw

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Gayle Manchin the perfect choice for Appalachian Regional Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 26, 2021

 

[CHARLESTON, W.VA.] Commenting the appointment by President Biden of Gayle Manchin to co-chair the Appalachian Regional Commission, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

 

“I applaud President Biden for his appointment of Gayle Manchin to be co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. She is the perfect choice. She has been deeply involved in the hard work of improving the lives of people in Appalachia for decades and has demonstrated her commitment to creating opportunities for all its people over and over again.

 

“Her work with the Reconnecting MacDowell initiative that we are involved with, along with the American Federation of Teachers and others, has brought a bright new ray of hope to thousands of working families in that southern West Virginia county that has been so devastated by the loss of coal jobs and the tax base that goes with them.

 

“Gayle is a true force of nature who will be a tremendous asset to the Commission as we all work to preserve and expand job opportunities and rebuild already devastated communities throughout Appalachia. We stand ready to work side by side with her in this critically important task.”

 

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UMWA contract negotiations with Warrior Met ongoing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 18, 2021

 

[MCALLA, ALA.] The United Mine Workers of America’s (UMWA) negotiations with Warrior Met Coal, Inc., are entering the last two weeks before the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement.

The current agreement, which was negotiated as Warrior Met emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Walter Energy, will expire at midnight on April 1, 2021.

“We are working to reach a fair and equitable agreement that recognizes the hard work and significant sacrifices our members at Warrior Met made to save this company and these jobs,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said.

“Because of their productivity, these professional, experienced miners have brought the company out of bankruptcy and made Warrior Met the successful company it is today.”

The UMWA represents more than 1,100 workers at Warrior Met’s #4 Mine, #5 Mine processing plant, #7 Mine and the company’s Central Shop, all located near Brookwood, Ala. The miners are members of UMWA Local Unions 2245, 2397, 2368 and 2427.

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UMWA statement on introduction of SCALE Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 17, 2021

 

[TRIANGLE, VA.] Commenting on the introduction of the Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (SCALE Act), United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

 

“The SCALE Act is a key component of the infrastructure that will be required to develop and deploy Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology as widely as possible, and the UMWA is wholeheartedly in support. This is one of the first critical steps needed to dramatically reduce carbon emissions while creating new jobs and preserving existing coal jobs into the future.

 

“Congress must build on this legislation by significantly increasing the resources needed to further develop CCS technology for commercial-scale applications so that we can deploy this game-changing technology at coal-fired power plants within the next 10 years. Hundreds of thousands of coalfield jobs depend on it, millions of American citizens will benefit from it. Let’s get this done.”

 

MSHA COVID-19 guidance a good first step to keep miners safe at work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 10, 2021

 

[TRIANGLE, VA.] Commenting on the issuance today by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) of COVID-19 guidance for American mine operators to follow, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement:

 

“The UMWA has been calling for federal action to help protect miners at work from contracting COVID-19 for a year. Unfortunately, our voice fell on deaf ears in the previous administration, and the results are clear. Thousands of our members were exposed to the virus at work, hundreds contracted it and took it home to their families, and some died. Much of that would have been prevented had the previous administration put worker safety first.

 

“The guidance issued today by MSHA is a significant step in the right direction, and our international safety team and local union safety committees will be demanding meetings with operators of the mines where we represent the workers to discuss this as soon as possible. But much more needs to be done.

 

“MSHA needs to build on this guidance and  quickly issue an enforceable standard that applies to all mines and miners, whether they are union members or not. The agency also needs to keep accurate statistics on the incidence of COVID-19 in America’s mines, so that a clear picture of the disease in our workplaces can be seen and acted upon.

 

“But regulatory standards issued by one administration can be reversed by another. That is why it is critical for Congress to pass the bipartisan legislation that has been introduced in both houses of Congress, the COVID-19 Mine Workers Protection Act, which will cement standards for this and any future infectious disease epidemic that may arise into the law. I urge Congress to act as soon as possible to pass this legislation and send it to the President.”

 

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UMWA’s Roberts calls for direct negotiations with Italia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

 

[ILION, N.Y.] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts said today that “the time for negotiating a contract at the RemArms plant in Ilion through the media needs to end,” and called on Roundhill CEO Richmond Italia to meet face-to-face and complete negotiations for an agreement.

 

“While I appreciate Mr. Italia’s comments to the media on Monday that recognized the UMWA as the collective bargaining agent for the workers at the Ilion plant, I was mystified by his statement that we are ‘almost there’ with respect to an agreement,” Roberts said. “We are not almost there. Let’s get down to the real business of reaching an agreement that is fair and reasonable for everyone.”

 

Roberts pointed out that the UMWA has represented the workers at the plant for 25 years, negotiating contract after contract without a strike or disruption. “We agree with Mr. Italia that these are the most professional and productive workers in the arms manufacturing industry anywhere in America,” Roberts said. “We think it is a smart decision to ensure that the company has their expertise and dedication going forward.

 

“They need the security that comes from having a union contract as they go back to work,” Roberts said. “I am willing to meet Mr. Italia at any time, remotely or face-to-face. I am prepared to work day and night to get this done. The workers at that plant and the communities that depend on it deserve nothing less.”

 

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UMWA sees no issues to reopening Remington plant in Ilion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 16, 2021

UMWA sees no issues to reopening Remington plant in Ilion

[ILION, N.Y.] Responding to news reports that the new owners of Remington Outdoor Company plant in Ilion are again threatening to not reopen the plant, United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“The statements of Mr. Richmond Italia to the local media yesterday were once again confusing to the UMWA and its members. We have reached a tentative agreement with the Remington Outdoor Company (old Remington), on issues where we could agree, regarding the outstanding employee legacies of that company. What we have not agreed upon, the bankruptcy court will decide. Roundhill knows this, and knows that the UMWA has not and does not consider Roundhill liable for those legacy issues.

“As far as we are concerned there are no bankruptcy-related issues that should justify Roundhill’s repeated threats to keep the Ilion plant closed. We have told them that, and are willing to tell them again today, tomorrow or any other day that Roundhill’s negotiators decide to reengage at the bargaining table.

“All we are asking of Roundhill is to hire our members back to work in the Ilion plant when it is reopened and recognize the UMWA as their collective bargaining representative. That’s it.

“Our negotiating team has made itself available to talk with Roundhill week after week with little response. These issues will more readily be settled in good-faith negotiations at the bargaining table. That is where agreements are made, not the media.”

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UMWA’s Roberts: No one wants the Remington plant open more than the union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

 

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

 

“I was surprised and saddened to see news reports about statements Mr. Richmond Italia apparently made regarding the workforce at the former Remington Arms plant in Ilion, New York. I can only believe that he is unaware of the long and deep commitment people in Central New York have to the jobs at that facility and the communities those jobs support. No one wants to see that plant reopen, and reopen as fast as possible, more than the UMWA and the people we represent.

 

“I have no idea where Mr. Italia is getting the notion that the UMWA intends to strike at that facility. We have certainly not said that to him or his representatives. The terms of the sale agreement that was approved in the Bankruptcy Court require that there be a modified collective bargaining agreement in place when the plant is reopened.

 

“The best way to do that is not for Roundhill to threaten to take these jobs away from the people who built this company and the communities surrounding it, but for the new owners to come to the bargaining table and hammer out the agreement envisioned in the sale agreement. Raising the issue of a strike while the union is attempting to bargain a fair and equitable agreement in good faith helps no one.

 

“On the subject of bargaining, I should note that despite the union presenting Roundhill with a proposal for the modified collective bargaining agreement weeks ago, we have yet to receive any response, despite repeated requests for a response and repeated promises from the company that we would get one. Exchanging proposals is how negotiations work, but it requires two parties who are willing to do so.

 

“Further, the company has failed to respond to our information requests, including a simple one like providing a list of our members who have accepted the company’s offer of employment. That is an unfair labor practice and must be immediately remedied.

 

“We remain ready and willing to meet with them today, tomorrow or any day after to reach an agreement. We are the best partners the new owners could have to get that plant opened as soon as possible. Let’s get busy.”

 

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