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UMWA endorses Salango, Petsonk in West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 4, 2020

[CHARLESTON, W.V.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) West Virginia Council of the Coal Miners Political Action Committee (COMPAC) yesterday voted to endorse Ben Salango for Governor and Sam Petsonk for Attorney General in the November general election.

            “Ben Salango is the clear choice for working families, and especially working and retired coal miners, in West Virginia,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “His family has UMWA roots and he understands the critical importance of the coal industry to our state. He will be a strong voice for preserving and expanding coal jobs, but in a way that puts miners first, not coal executives. That’s why he received the unanimous endorsement of our State COMPAC Council.

“Ben stands up for workers and working families, and he will be the kind of active Governor West Virginia needs,” Roberts said. “Ben knows that the best people to be in charge of coal miners’ health and safety are those who will put the safety of the miners ahead of production-first demands of coal operators.

“With Ben Salango in office, we will have a Governor who will support retired miners and widows,” Roberts said. “We have had to sue the current Governor’s companies to get them to live up to their obligations to retired miners and widows, and we are not the only ones who have taken him to court to force him to live up to his obligations.”

The endorsement of Sam Petsonk for Attorney General was also unanimous. Petsonk, who was a legal intern at the UMWA in the mid-2000’s, has dedicated his life to assisting miners, families and communities get the help they need to survive, especially with regard to wage protection and black lung benefits.

“I have known Sam for a long time, and I have always found him to be a passionate advocate for people,” Roberts said. “His work on behalf of coal miners and their families is a shining example of what a good lawyer should be doing.

“Sam’s support for coal miners extends to supporting their jobs as well,” Roberts said. “His plan for revitalizing the coal industry in West Virginia is innovative and makes use of the full powers of the Attorney General’s office in ways that benefit miners, families, communities and the state as a whole. Merely trying to recaputure the past when it comes to developing a future for coal jobs will not cut it. We have to embrace new technology and new approaches if we are going to preserve coal jobs in the long-term. Sam has that vision.”

“We intend to put the full power of our political team behind Ben, Sam, and all our endorsed candidates in West Virginia up and down the ballot in this election,” Roberts said. “Every candidate we have endorsed has earned it, and we will support them every step of the way.”

The State COMPAC Council, which is made up of UMWA Area COMPAC Council committee members, union activists and UMWA District officers from all parts of the state, met by Zoom conference on August 3, 2020, to consider the endorsements for Governor, Attorney General and other state and local offices.

 

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UMWA applauds Senator Duckworth’s Marshall Plan for Coal Country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 23, 2020

 

[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) offered strong support for the “Marshall Plan for Coal Country,” to be introduced today in the United States Senate by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).

“This is the first legislation we have seen that takes aim at the tremendous economic problems that already exist in the coalfields of America,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Coal-producing areas of our nation have taken a pounding, and it is not getting any better. Senator Duckworth’s bill is comprehensive and includes several programs and concepts that would have strong, positive impacts on economically depressed communities in the coalfields, as well as dislocated workers and their families.”

The bill would:

  • Provide health care coverage through Medicare for coal workers who have lost their jobs;
  • Improve bankruptcy laws so that coal companies would have to pay obligations to pensions and retiree health care before they paid executive bonuses;
  • Establishes programs to assist dislocated coal workers with setting up their own businesses;
  • Provide federal government procurement preferences for goods manufactured in coal country;
  • Encourage first-time homebuyers to purchase homes in hard-hit coal communities while stabilizing property values for existing homeowners;
  • Provides significant assistance to apply carbon capture and storage technology to existing coal-fired power plants, and to build out the infrastructure needed to accomplish this;
  • Provide free higher education tuition to coal workers and their families to earn an Associates, Technical or Bachelor’s degree.

“These are exactly the kind of specifics we have long called for in policy initiatives to help workers, families and communities that have already been devastated,” Roberts said. “They worked long and hard to provide America with the energy it needed to become the strongest nation on Earth. They did – and many thousands are still doing – their part for all of us. We cannot continue to just kick them to the curb; America has a responsibility to them.

“This is not a climate bill,” Roberts said. “It is not a bill people should feel the need to take sides about. This is a bill that would provide critical help to the communities and people who need it right now. And it will lay the groundwork for any further economic shocks that hit the coalfields as natural gas prices continue to stay low and overall electricity demand remains depressed.

“I call on other Senators, of both parties, to support this legislation,” Roberts said. “And I strongly urge that it be part of any other economic development legislation or policy initiatives that may be under consideration in Congress, the administration or presidential campaigns.”

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COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act introduced in House of Representatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 22, 2020

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

“I commend Representative Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Representative David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and the 19 other members of the House who are sponsors and original co-sponsors of the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act, which was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday. This bill, if passed, will save miners’ lives.

“America’s miners have been on the job every day during this pandemic, producing the critical materials our nation has continued to need regardless of the virus. Many have contracted COVID-19, but because nearly all mines are located in more rural areas of the country, the spread of the virus has not been as severe as it has in other areas. That is now changing, and miners need the protection provided by this legislation now more than ever.

“Miners are especially prone to the dangers of COVID-19 because of the nature of their work. Unlike other professions where social distancing recommendations are practicable, mining requires the continuous clustering of people working in close proximity to one another. Wearing a mask is critical for safety, but it is not enough.

“Many individual mine operators and local unions have implemented their own measures in an attempt to mitigate the risks of exposure to this highly contagious virus. But those measures are not enforceable should the companies decide to backslide on them – and many are now doing just that.

“Miners need a uniform set of rules, enforced by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to ensure that the highest level of precautionary measures are in place at every mine. This bill, and its companion bill in the Senate, S. 3710, will do that. Congress must act as soon as possible.”

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New Murray Energy WARN Act notice a requirement of bankruptcy process, not likely to lead to layoffs

[TRIANGLE, VA.] The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice that will be issued by Murray Energy later today is a requirement of federal law and the bankruptcy process, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) said today.

“At the end of the bankruptcy process, Murray Energy as we know it will cease to exist and new owners will take over the company,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said today. “The new owners will immediately rehire the employees, but since they will technically be transferring to a new employer, Murray Energy is required under the WARN Act to issue a notice.

“I do not anticipate any layoffs of UMWA members as a result of this WARN Act notice or change of ownership,” Roberts said. “Indeed, the new owners have agreed in writing – as part of a collective bargaining agreement our members ratified in April – that they will rehire UMWA members when they take ownership of the company.”

This is the third WARN Act notice Murray Energy has issued since the beginning of the bankruptcy process as a result of changing dates for completion of the bankruptcy. Each time the expected date of completion changes, the company must issue a new WARN Act notice.

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UMWA, USW sue MSHA to force action to protect miners from COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 16, 2020

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] The United Mine Workers of America International Union (UMWA) and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) today jointly filed a petition for a writ of mandamus forcing the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard protecting miners from infectious diseases.

“We have been asking MSHA to step up and do its job to protect America’s miners from the beginning of this pandemic,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “But so far, the agency has refused. You would think that those who are charged with keeping miners safe would want to actually do so. It is very disappointing that they have turned their backs on these critical workers.

“Working in a mine is very different from working in any other workplace,” Roberts said. “The air is circulated throughout the mine, meaning an airborne disease like COVID-19 can spread among workers who are far removed from one another. A six-foot social distance is meaningless in an underground environment.”

“MSHA’s sole purpose is to keep miners safe, and COVID-19 poses a grave risk to workers’ health,” said USW International President Tom Conway. “It’s time for our federal agencies to start taking their responsibilities to workers seriously. We needed an emergency temporary standard for infectious diseases at the beginning of the pandemic, and we still need one now.”

“The situation confronting miners is urgent,” the petition states. “Miners have largely been designated as ‘essential’ workers and thus are currently working at mine sites across the country.  Further, as government-imposed stay-at-home orders are lifted and demand for mine-produced resources increases, more miners will return to work at pre-pandemic levels.”

The petition goes on to say “if MSHA fails to issue an ETS to address this unprecedented crisis, the life and health of tens of thousands of miners will be placed in grave danger as a result of the miners’ increased exposure to COVID-19.”

The petition for a writ of mandamus has been filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and asks for an expedited hearing process with a ruling to be issued within 30 days of the Court granting the writ.

Click here to view the court filing.

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DNC council’s climate change plan overlooks energy workers and communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 4, 2020

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“The recommendations issued today by the Democratic National Committee’s Environment and Climate Crisis Council are technologically, economically and politically unachievable. Worse, the Council puts the burden of meeting an impossible set of goals squarely on the backs of traditional energy workers in America and their communities, without putting forth any concrete plan to keep those workers and communities viable in the long term.

“I have to ask if this Council sought the input of anyone who might question their conclusions or suggest alternatives to their recommendations? Did they ask the opinion of a coal miner? A worker in a coal-fired power plant? A mayor whose community will be devastated when a plant or a mine closes? I sincerely doubt it.

“No one is suggesting that climate change is not happening or that we do not need to take action to deal with it. It is, and we must. But once again, we see a condescending, ‘we know what’s best for you’ attitude toward traditional energy workers, their families and their communities.

”The notion that adopting the policies recommended by this Council will not have political ramifications in traditional-energy, blue-collar swing states is ludicrous. I can assure you that the mere issuing of this report has already cost Democrats potential votes in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, without adding any new ones.

“As chair of the AFL-CIO’s Energy Committee, I will be bringing this matter before that Committee, so that we can consider how we approach this.”

 

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We are all stronger together

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 2, 2020

 

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

“The senseless murder of George Floyd last week was the latest in a long, outrageous chain of injustices suffered by African-Americans and people of color in America. It is past time that we confront the ugly history of racism and inequality in our nation, and work to put it behind us once and for all.

“None of our children or grandchildren should ever grow up in fear of being injured or killed merely because of the color of their skin. I join with those who protest George Floyd’s killing, and who seek justice for it and for their families.

“There is a difference between peaceful protest and the violence we have seen sweep across America these last several nights. I do not support looting, burning and destruction of property as a form of protest, because it is not.

“It is becoming clearer every day that most of the worst violence has been committed by radical underground groups on both the right-wing and left-wing fringes. They are not protesting; they are engaging in violence to fulfill their own twisted agendas. We must not allow their actions to lead us from the path of unity and healing.

“At a time when so much is confronting America, we need leaders who will unite our nation, not look for ways to divide it even further for mere political gain. I call on every elected official in our country to seek out paths forward that will bring us together, so that we can truly be, ‘one Nation, under God, with liberty and justice for ALL.”

 

 

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Conor Lamb supports coal miners, coal miners support Conor Lamb

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 26, 2020

 

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

“As a U.S. Army veteran who served in combat in Vietnam, I was saddened to see the President’s attacks on Congressman Conor Lamb yesterday. I was even sadder to see them embraced by his opponent, also a U.S. Army combat veteran. He should know better. Those who put on the uniform do not do so because of politics, they do so because they love their country. Those who have never worn the uniform will never know what that means.

“Conor Lamb was an outspoken leader in the bipartisan effort to secure pensions and health care for retired coal miners. He stood with us every single day until the battle was won. We will never forget it, and working and retired coal miners in Pennsylvania will stand by him every day as well.

“I have witnessed Conor Lamb work in a bipartisan way, and I know what kind of a man he is. Washington needs more politicians willing to work with those across the aisle, not less. The American people deserve more civility in our national dialogue, not less.

“American leaders need to show more respect for those who were willing to fight for our country and lay down their lives, if need be. Doing otherwise dishonors every veteran and, indeed, every American.”

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UMWA stands with Navajo people as they fight COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 19, 2020

 

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

“The coronavirus pandemic that has struck the United States has brought death and economic devastation in multiple regions, but none more so than the Navajo Nation, which has surpassed New York City as the region with the most COVID-19 cases per capita in America. We represent many thousands of Navajo workers, and our prayers are with those who have lost family members and those who are still struggling with this disease.

“It is very troubling that critical federal support and supplies that were intended to go to the Navajo Nation were delayed or misdirected. The federal government has a special responsibility to provide support to Native American nations, many of which already suffered from chronic public health issues long before this virus showed up. Simply put, our government failed them.

“For many Navajo families, this could not come at a worse time. With the needless and premature closure of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) at the end of last year, hundreds of workers at that plant and the Kayenta coal mine that fed the NGS were thrown out of work. They were already suffering, and now many have lost family members or are caring for severely sick relatives, while trying to keep the virus from spreading even further in their families.

“The loss of revenue to the Navajo Nation government from the NGS and Kayenta closures already had a severe impact on the resources it has available to provide for its people before the virus hit. Now, the situation is desperate. I call on the United States government to rapidly increase the level of assistance that is going to the Navajo Nation and all tribal governments.

“This disease is especially strong in those communities which already had health issues and a history of poor access to health care facilities, which is true in most rural areas of the country. As we bring more resources to bear to fight this virus throughout the country, we cannot continue to leave rural America behind.”

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MANCHIN, DURBIN, KAINE, BROWN, CASEY, CAPITO, WARNER INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT MINERS FROM COVID-19 EXPOSURE

 

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act which would require the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) within 7 days of enactment to protect our miners from COVID-19 exposure at the mines. Additionally, the bill would forbid mine operators from retaliating against miners for reporting infection control problems to their employer or any public authority. Additional information on the COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act can be found here.

 

“Our miners risk their lives every day to power our nation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that risk is even greater for our brave miners. On April 17, my colleagues and I sent a letter to President Trump asking for MSHA to implement these safety standards, but they have yet to act to protect our miners,” said Senator Manchin. “I introduced the bipartisan COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act to ensure that our miners are protected from exposure to COVID-19 in the mines. This commonsense legislation will help our miners stay safe during this pandemic while they continue to provide Americans with the power they need every day and especially when so many Americans are spending extended amounts of time at home. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as well as MSHA and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) to pass this legislation and protect our miners during this pandemic.”

 

“Thousands of mineworkers in Illinois work in difficult and dangerous conditions, and the COVID-19 crisis only heightens the need for stronger worker protections for these miners,” said Senator Durbin. “With workers sharing tight quarters during long shifts, it’s vital that the Mine Safety & Health Administration issue an Emergency Temporary Standard to limit miners’ exposure to COVID-19 and ensure that miners can earn a living without further endangering themselves or their families.”

 

“Our nation’s coal miners work tirelessly – often in dangerous conditions – to power our communities. Now more than ever, we must help ensure they can stay safe on the job,” said Senator Kaine.

 

“Ohio miners have put their health at risk for years to power our country,” said Senator Brown. “And now they’re facing more danger, as working conditions put them at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. MSHA needs to issue an enforceable safety standard to protect these miners from infectious disease, and we need to ensure these workers have the personal protective equipment they need to prevent exposure.”

 

“Some Americans can safely stay home and practice social distancing, but our Nation’s coal miners are bravely going to work every day to continue powering our country,” said Senator Casey. “The bipartisan COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act would put in place enforceable workplace safety standards to protect miners from COVID-19 on the job and would make clear that miners cannot be retaliated against for reporting health and safety concerns related to COVID-19.”

 

“West Virginia miners continue to work day in and day out to power our country,” Senator Capito said. “Making sure they are protected and as safe as possible in their job is absolutely critical, especially during COVID-19.”

 

“As our coal miners continue to do their job to keep the lights on in our communities amid this health crisis, we’ve got to make sure that they have the support they need to stay safe in this pandemic. On the job, miners often have to work in close quarters with their colleagues, which puts them at greater risk of exposure to COVD-19. That’s why we must make sure their health and safety is being prioritized, and adequate protections are put in place to protect these essential workers while on the clock,” said Senator Warner.

 

“An underground environment is unlike any other workplace there is,” United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “It can easily become a hot spot for COVID-19. Miners breathe the same circulated air no matter where they are in the mine. They frequently must work in close quarters. They ride to and from their specific work stations underground in elevators and mantrips that put them in close proximity to one another. They change into and out of their work clothes side by side before and after their shifts. We have asked MSHA to develop emergency standards to protect miners, but so far the agency has taken no action. We very much appreciate this bipartisan group of Senators for stepping up to support the more than 200,000 miners of all kinds in this nation. They need consistent, enforceable protection on the job just like every other essential worker.”

 

The COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act would require MSHA to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard, based on CDC, NIOSH, and OSHA guidance, within 7 days of enactment to protect our miners from COVID-19 exposure at the mines. The COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act would also:

 

  • Require mine operators to provide personal protective equipment to miners;
  • Require MSHA to issue a permanent comprehensive infectious disease standard within two years;
  • Require MSHA to forbid employers from retaliating against miners for reporting infection control problems to their employer, or to local, State, or Federal government agencies; and,
  • Require MSHA, in coordination with CDC and NIOSH, to track, analyze, and investigate mine-related COVID-19 infections data in order make recommendations and guidance to protect miners from the virus.

Bill text can be found here.

 

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