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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American Consolidated Natural Resources, Inc. emerges from Murray Energy bankruptcy, all UMWA members rehired

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

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

​“After nearly a year, the Murray Energy bankruptcy proceedings are finally over with the closing of the transaction shifting all the company’s assets to American Consolidated Natural Resources, Inc. (ACNR). As per the agreement ACNR signed and that was ratified by the UMWA membership in May, all UMWA members who formerly worked for Murray Energy have been hired by the new company and are working.

“As spelled out in the agreement, today becomes the effective date of the new collective bargaining agreement between the UMWA, ACNR and its subsidiary companies.

​“I commend the officers and membership of our Local Unions at ACNR operations for their perseverance and patience through this proceeding. It has not been an easy time for them, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. There is much to be concerned about for those of us associated with and working in the coal industry during these troubling times, but it is good that this process has finally been completed and our members can put the uncertainty of the bankruptcy behind them.”

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Union Veterans Council Condemns VA Secretary for Putting Politics Ahead of Vets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2020

 

Contact:      Will Attig

wattig@unionveterans.org

(202) 251-6773

 

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, military news outlet Task and Purpose reported that Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie dismissed confirmed delays in VA prescription medication delivery due to Trump administration changes to the Postal Service. In response to those comments, President of the Mine Workers of America, Union Veterans Council Chair, and Vietnam War Veteran Cecil E. Roberts, released the following statement today:

 

“One thing they teach us in the military is to call BS when we see it, and Secretary Wilkie is full of it. Wilkie’s own staff at the VA already confirmed what we have heard from veterans across the country: Trump administration changes to the Postal Service have caused up to a 25 percent delay in prescription deliveries. Veterans rely on these prescriptions to cope with injuries and ailments they incurred while serving our country. For some, receiving their prescriptions on time is a matter of life or death.

 

“First, it is outrageous that the Postal Service has taken such aggressive actions to cause this problem. Secondly, it is a dereliction of duty for the VA Secretary to attempt to cover it up.

 

“No matter what else happens in this politics-first, people-second administration, veterans and their families still expect the VA Secretary to be straight with them. It’s beneath the service to play politics with the health and safety of millions of veterans. Secretary Wilkie should correct himself, apologize immediately and demand that the Postal Service reverse the actions it took to cause this life-or-death problem.”

 

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The Union Veterans Council brings working-class veterans together to speak out on the issues that impact us most, especially the need for good jobs and a strong, fully funded and staffed VA. Additionally, we hold private enterprise and elected officials accountable for their words and actions. We believe wholeheartedly that the ability for someone to self-identify as “pro-veteran” isn’t determined by what lapel pin they don or what catchphrase they employ; veterans face real issues that require real actions—constructive actions that lead to positive solutions. At the Union Veterans Council, we fight every day for those who have fought for us.