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UMWA supports bi-partisan initiative for COVID relief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 7, 2020

 

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

“It is critical that Congress act without delay to pass a COVID relief package that will provide additional unemployment benefits, an additional bar on evictions, aid to state and local governments, extension of a Payroll Support Programs (PSP) for the airline industry, help for small businesses and more. American working families have been waiting for this help since September. There must not be any further delay.

“Thousands of UMWA members are unemployed right now, both in the coal industry and in other industries. Indeed, by some measures this has been one of the worst years for the coal industry in almost 90 years. Our members did nothing wrong, yet they and their families are hurting.

“Hopefully their jobs will return as Americans get vaccinated and we begin to work our way out of this pandemic and the economic disaster it has caused. But in the meantime, the help they would receive from an additional $1,200 per month in supplemental unemployment benefits will be a Godsend.

“As essential workers, the vast majority of UMWA members have been on the job throughout this troubled time. Nearly 300 of our active members have contracted COVID-19, hundreds more of our retirees have as well. Many of them have been hospitalized. Some have passed away. I salute all of them for their perseverance throughout this pandemic, and urge them to continue to stay safe, wear a mask and get the vaccine when it becomes available.

“I commend those members of Congress who worked in a bipartisan fashion to finally get Congress moving on providing the relief Americans so desperately need. I am especially glad that Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is one of those spearheading this effort. I know he cares deeply about working families in West Virginia and around the country, as do the others who have contributed to this legislation.

“Let’s get this done, and done in a way that provides the most relief possible to those who need it while still upholding critical safety and health protections for those who are working.”

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OIG report on lack of MSHA silica standard “right on the money”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

 

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

“The report from the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is right on the money and reinforces what the United Mine Workers have been saying for years: It is long past time for MSHA to fulfill its responsibilities and act to protect miners from silicosis or progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). MSHA knows what measures it must take in order to ensure safe and healthy work environments for the nation’s miners and it has known it for years. The Agency has a responsibility to enact those measures.

“On June 19, 2019, the UMWA, along with the United Steel Workers (USW), sent a joint letter to Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health David Zatezalo concerning this very issue. The letter spelled out the evidence proving that miners are experiencing an epidemic of black lung and PMF that is being caused, in large part, by silica exposure. The letter also gave recommendations as to how the Agency could better protect miners from respirable coal and silica dust.

“The next day, June 20, 2019, I testified before Congress about the effects of coal dust and silica exposure on the lives of America’s miners. That was almost a year and a half ago and we still have no meaningful progress toward a protective silica dust rule. This administration failed to properly protect miners from this insidious disease. It will now fall to the next administration to issue an effective silica rule.

“The current push by some in the industry for allowing respirators or other personal protective equipment to be a primary means of controlling silica dust is troubling. The law is clear: Mine operators must provide a safe, dust-controlled atmosphere for miners using engineering and ventilation methods, which are more than capable of properly reducing dust levels. We look forward to working with the new leadership at the agency to ensure that is what happens.”

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On June 20, 2019, President Cecil Roberts spoke to the committee on Education and Labor about the need for action!

The Presidential election is over. It’s time to move on.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 20, 2020

 

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

“I have watched with growing concern the actions of the Trump campaign and the President himself in their effort to overthrow the will of the American people and claim some sort of victory in the face of the overwhelming vote of the American people for President-elect Biden.

“While there is nothing wrong with a candidate asking for a recount where it is appropriate and asking for legal review of the results, that has now happened in state after state and there has been little to show for it. The President’s campaign has lost in court after court.

“But now something sinister is occurring. The President and his campaign have largely given up the legal battle and are putting pressure on state elections officials and legislators to deny the verdict of the voters and overturn their democratic rights. This is a threat to our entire form of government and the American way of life.

“I, along with hundreds of thousands of other veterans, did not go off to fight our country’s wars so that the very foundation of what actually does make America great – government of, by and for the people – could be subverted. That is the path the President’s campaign is on now. It cannot stand.

“The cockamamie notion that there was some plot launched in a failed state in South America that somehow affected the count of millions of voters is just absurd. Whether you like the outcome or not, the American people have spoken, and their will must now be placed ahead of everything else.

“The UMWA did not support either candidate for President in this election. Our members voted for the candidate of their choice – some voted for President Trump, and some voted for President-elect Biden. They, like an unprecedented number of American voters, had their say. And they recognize that it is time to move on and get with the business of ending the coronavirus pandemic, bringing our economy back to life and helping those who have lost everything to get back on their feet.

“The UMWA is prepared to do what we always do: Fight for safe, healthy and family-sustaining jobs for our members, protect our retirees’ health care and pensions, and organize new members so that they can enjoy the benefits of a union contract on the job. We will work with the Biden administration where we can and we will oppose it where we must. That is the long tradition of this great union no matter who is in the White House, and we will carry it onward.”

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UMWA’s Roberts: Sale of Cumberland mine potentially good news

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2020

[TRIANGLE, VA.] Commenting on the announcement that Contura Energy has reached a agreement to sell the Cumberland mine, in Greene County, Pa., to Iron Senergy Holding LLC, United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

​“This announcement breathes new life into the Cumberland mine, which had just two years of life left under Contura’s ownership. There are plentiful reserves at that mine and a highly productive, professional workforce that will hopefully be able to work at that mine for many more years.

​“We are still learning the full details of this transaction and have yet to talk to the buyers. I want our members at Cumberland to know that our collective bargaining agreement will continue in full force and effect under the new owners. We will provide our members more details as they become available.”

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Remington refusal to pay severance to terminated workers is a “slap in the face”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 24, 2020

 

[ILION, N.Y.] On Friday, October 23, 2020, Remington Outdoor Company told its employees that it was terminating the employment of 585 workers at its Ilion, N.Y. plant effective October 26, 2020 and was cutting off all their health care and other contractual benefits on October 31.Further, the company is refusing to pay severance and accrued vacation benefits, as it is obligated to do under its collective bargaining agreement with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

 

UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today regarding this treacherous act by the company:

 

“This outrageous action by Remington Outdoor company is a slap in the face to the employees who built that company into the best firearms manufacturer in the world. UMWA Local Union 717 has already filed a series of grievances under our collective bargaining agreement, and the UMWA International Union is exploring further legal action.

 

“Our members at Local Union 717, their families and their communities have been on an emotional roller-coaster the last several months. First the company filed for bankruptcy and it looked like the Ilion plant would close for good. Then the union was successful in encouraging a potential buyer to keep jobs in Ilion, and that buyer was able to purchase the plant in the bankruptcy process.

 

“We are now working with the new company to get the plant reopened and start putting our members back to work. But the old, failed Remington had one more kick in the pants for our members.

 

“If they think they can get away with this without a fight from the UMWA they had better think again. Our members in Local Union 717 earned those benefits. We are going to do everything we can to ensure that they get them, and then continue working to get the plant reopened under new ownership as soon as possible.”

 

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Labor-Energy Partnership applauds California CCS study

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Energy Futures Initiative came together today to applaud California’s CCS study.

UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said, in regards to the study that, “this report makes abundantly clear the broad role that CCUS technology will play in the future of the American economy. This will help ensure that thousands of the next generation of coal miners and other traditional energy workers will have family- and community-sustaining jobs.”

 

Click here to view the full letter.

 

 

UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts Urges Congress to Pass Legislation that Maintains and Restores Airline Industry Jobs

October 8, 2020

 

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the active and retired members of the United Mine Workers of America, I urge you to pass legislation that restores the Payroll Support Program to maintain and restore airline industry jobs.

The UMWA supports the passage of a larger bill that provides the relief all Americans desperately need as this pandemic continues. But while discussions on such legislation continue, Congress must grasp the opportunity to provide the relief hundreds of thousands of airline workers need right now.  Just because we cannot provide all workers the help they need at this moment should not mean that we will deny relief to airline workers, especially when both parties agree it should be done.

There is legislation before the House right now that will reverse the furloughs that are already happening and prevent the further avalanche of lost airline jobs that is coming in the next few days. I urge you to demand that this legislation be taken up in the House without delay, pass it and send it to the Senate.

Thank you for you attention to this matter. If you have any questions or concerns about this please do not hesitate to contact the UMWA’s Legislative Director, Phil Smith, at psmith@umwa.org

 

Sincerely,

Cecil E. Roberts

 

Click here to read the full letter.

 

The Passing of Brother Knisell

September 28, 2020

 

The entire UMWA family mourns the passing of not only a leader and dedicated member of the union, but a friend, a confidant, a veteran,  father and husband. Brother Larry Knisell passed away Monday, September 28, 2020.

Brother Knisell was a former District Representative and a member of Local Union 1570 in District 31. He was an avid UMWA supporter and member of our Pensioner Leadership Committee.

We could always count on him to fight for the members of the UMWA. He was even willing to sacrifice his freedom in 2013 , when he was arrested in the streets of St. Louis fighting for the pensions and health care of retiree UMWA miners.

Larry was also a proud United States Navy and Vietnam veteran serving on the USS Joseph Strauss.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Knisell family. He will be sadly missed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Larry’s name to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.

Brother Larry Knisell sitting with UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts and other members of the UMWA International Executive Board on the streets of St. Louis at the 2013 UMWA Pension Rally.
Brother Larry Knisell being arrested in St. Louis after rallying to preserve health care and pensions for retired coal miners and their families.
District 2 Vice President Chuck Knisell being sworn in by his father, Brother Larry Knisell, at the 2018 UMWA Inauguration in Morgantown, West Virginia.

UMWA issues Remington bankruptcy update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

 

UMWA issues Remington bankruptcy update

[TRIANGLE, VA.] As the Remington Arms bankruptcy sale process heads to completion in Alabama, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“Publicly available documents filed over the weekend with the Bankruptcy Court indicate that there could be a successful bidder for certain assets of Remington that would include the Ilion, N.Y., plant, and that bidder would agree to keep the plant open. This is, of course, subject to a final decision by the Court.

“Our goal throughout this process has always been to keep that plant open and our members working. That appears to be on track, at least to this point. The UMWA has been in talks with that bidder about our collective bargaining agreement at the Ilion plant and we will be talking with them further in the coming days should their bid be accepted by the Court tomorrow.

“We do not yet know what the final outcome of the Court proceedings will be, nor do we know what the final outcome of our talks with a successful bidder will be. But this is another step in the process, and I believe it to be a positive one for our members.”

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UMWA’s Roberts urges Bankruptcy Court to keep Remington jobs in Ilion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

 

[TRIANGLE, VA.] As the bankruptcy process at Remington Arms nears its completion, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International Union President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

 

“Remington Arms has employed thousands of American workers and created economic prosperity in central New York for almost 200 years. The company’s plant in Ilion, N.Y., still provides more than 700 of the best jobs in America. The UMWA is proud to represent those workers and the communities where they live.

 

“As the Bankruptcy Court in Alabama makes a final decision about who will own this company moving forward, the UMWA strongly encourages the Judge to take into consideration the need to keep these good jobs in New York, and in the United States. We are very concerned that a new owner could close the Ilion plant and move production overseas. That would be devastating to the central New York economy and further erode American workers’ jobs.

 

“Americans have seen far too many of their jobs shipped out of the country, we do not want that to happen here yet again. We are watching this very closely, and hope that the Remington facilities are sold to someone who will keep the Ilion plant open and operating in the United States.”

 

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