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Casey Presses Energy Company CEO About Future of Critical Cumberland Mine, Impact of Mine Closure on Miners and Families in Greene County

For Immediate Release

March 30, 2024

News of the potential closure came as a surprise to numerous stakeholders including county officials and the union representing roughly 550 miners

Cumberland Mine has been a major employer in Greene County since the 1970s and currently employs more than 700 skilled workers

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter to Iron Senergy Owner and CEO Justin F. Thompson regarding recent reports of the company’s intention to abruptly close and seal the Cumberland Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Greene County officials, the United Mine Workers of America, which represents roughly 550 Cumberland miners, and numerous other stakeholders were blindsided by reports that Iron Senergy notified the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) of its intent to shutter the highly productive facility without notifying miners or relevant stakeholders. Though Iron Senergy later backtracked in a statement, the company has yet to fully engage with local stakeholders, or explain why it did not communicate with its miners as news of the closure was being reported. Casey also pushed for answers on why Iron Senergy submitted a request for approval to close Cumberland Mine to MSHA and whether it will withdraw its closure plan and recommit to the Greene County community.

“Cumberland Mine is a cornerstone of the economy in Greene County and the surrounding area. Pennsylvania miners in this region have powered our country for generations. These miners deserve transparency about their economic future, and I hope Iron Senergy will join me in doing all we can to give them that certainty,” Senator Casey wrote.  

The full text of the letter is below and the signed PDF can be found HERE.

Casey Statement on Planned Closure of Cumberland Mine

For Immediate Release

March 28, 2024

 

Contact

Natalie Adams: 202-228-3789

 

Casey Statement on Planned Closure of Cumberland Mine

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on reports from the community that Iron Senergy is planning to close the Cumberland Mine in Greene County, PA:

 

“Cumberland Mine is not just a highly productive site, but the last unionized bituminous coal mine in Pennsylvania, providing good paying jobs for more than 550 union workers in Greene County. Iron Senergy’s decision to close the mine would be a devastating blow to the miners, their families, and the economy of the surrounding communities. It would also be a cynical attempt by the company to intimidate and undermine the United Mine Workers of America, one of the most vital unions in our Commonwealth and our Nation. I am calling on the company to work with the union to safely reopen the mine. I will continue to fight alongside the union, state and local officials, the mine workers, and their families and communities to prevent this closure and protect union jobs, which is in the best interest of our Nation.”

 

Since learning about Iron Senergy’s plans to close the plant, Senator Casey has been in close touch with the United Mine Workers of America leadership. He has also reached out to Iron Senergy and has yet to receive a response.

 

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UMWA Announces Primary Endorsements for Federal, Statewide Races

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 28, 2024

 

UMWA announces primary endorsements for federal, statewide races

[TRIANGLE, VA.] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Coal Miners Political Action Committees (COMPAC) in several states have voted to endorse candidates in primary elections for federal, state, and local offices over the last several weeks. UMWA COMPAC endorsements are the culmination of a grassroots process that starts at workplaces and proceeds through several steps where rank-and-file members have input before endorsements are made.

“Our members have a full opportunity to have a direct say in COMPAC endorsements, starting in their local unions and going up from there,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Candidates complete questionnaires, they speak to our committees, and this allows our members to fully consider and discuss the candidate’s positions on issues important to our members and their families before any endorsements are made.”

Notable endorsements made recently include the following:

 

West Virginia

Governor

Moore Capito (R)

Steve Williams (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

2nd District: Riley Moore (R)

 

Pennsylvania

U.S. Senate

Bob Casey (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

10th District, Janelle Stelson (D)

13th District: Beth Farnham (D)

14th District: Chris Dziados (D)

15th District: Zacheray Womer (D)

17th District: Chris Deluzio (D)

 

Virginia

U.S. Senate

Tim Kaine (D)

 

Arizona

U.S. Senate

Ruben Gallego (D)

 

Indiana

Governor

Jennifer McCormick (D)

 

A full list of endorsements is available at this link: https://umwa.org/policy-politics/

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UMWA responds to Iron Senergy threat to close Cumberland mine in Greene County, PA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 28, 2024

 

UMWA responds to Iron Senergy threat to close Cumberland mine in Greene County, PA.

[UNIONTOWN, PA.] Responding to a plan filed by Iron Senergy, Inc., to permanently close the Cumberland mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“Yesterday, the UMWA received a copy of a plan filed by Iron Senergy with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to permanently close its Cumberland mine. The company did not communicate with us in advance regarding this plan, and in fact, is still refusing to talk to us about it at all.

 “All underground workers at the mine were sent home on March 19, with no notice or any indication of when they may be returning to work, if at all. The company has failed to file a notice of mass layoff as required by the WARN Act and has failed to provide any information to anyone regarding the number of jobs that would be affected by this closure. Nor has it reached out regarding exploring potential ways to keep the mine open.

“There are some 550 UMWA members who work at that mine every day. In all, about 700 people work there, earning the highest wages and benefits in Greene and surrounding counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. When factoring in the jobs that support and are supported by the operation of that mine, we estimate there are between 2,500 and 3,000 jobs at risk in the local communities.

“This is a highly productive mine, with current long-term customers and significant reserves. It is making money and is not in any apparent financial distress. To abruptly put all those jobs at risk and not offer any explanation whatsoever is a slap in the face to every person in those communities. This is not how any employer should treat its workers and their families.

“The UMWA is prepared to work with management to find ways to keep this mine open and continue its essential economic contribution to Greene County and surrounding communities. We must be about the business of maintaining these jobs for our members, their families, and their communities. All we need is some indication from management that it is interested in those things as well.”

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UMWA and AFL-CIO Launch Proxy Solicitation at Warrior Met Coal, Urge Stockholders to Hold Management Accountable After Costly Strike

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2024

 

UMWA and AFL-CIO Launch Proxy Solicitation at Warrior Met Coal, Urge Stockholders to Hold Management Accountable After Costly Strike

The United Mine Workers of America (the “UMWA”) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (the “AFL-CIO”) are urging stockholders of Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (NYSE: HCC) to support a package of corporate governance reforms at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on April 25, 2024. Warrior Met stockholders are urged to vote for five shareholder proposals on the UMWA’s and AFL-CIO’s blue proxy card which also can be voted for on the company’s white proxy card.

The proxy solicitation by the UMWA and AFL-CIO follows a costly strike by UMWA members at Warrior Met between April 1, 2021, and February 16, 2023. On June 29, 2023, an NLRB Administrative Law Judge found that Warrior Met had engaged in unfair labor practices in contract negotiations leading up to the strike. The UMWA and AFL-CIO estimate that Warrior Met had $1.3 billion less potential revenue between 2021 and 2023 compared to the company’s 2019 pre-Covid levels of production.

“In our view, Warrior Met’s poor labor relations have cost the company’s stockholders and coal miners dearly while its management has been insulated from these costs,” said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts. “We believe that the strike could have been avoided had Warrior Met’s management negotiated in good faith to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the UMWA and its unionized workforce.”

The UMWA and the AFL-CIO are proposing five stockholder proposals requesting that the Board of Directors take the necessary steps to adopt 1) a policy to require stockholder approval of “poison pills,” 2) a “proxy access” bylaw provision, 3) a policy to require stockholder approval of the use of “blank check” preferred stock for antitakeover purposes, 4) a policy to require stockholder approval of “golden parachutes,” and 5) an independent, third-party assessment of the company’s respect for workers’ international human rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining. 

“Having an entrenched corporate management is never a good thing for the sustainable financial performance of a company,” said Carin Zelenko, Director of Capital Strategies for the AFL-CIO. “Our stockholder proposals seek to better align the interests of Warrior Met’s management with the long-term interests of the company, its investors, and employees.”

The UMWA’s and AFL-CIO’s proxy solicitation has already resulted in change at Warrior Met. On February 9, 2024, the Board of Directors adopted new limits on its executive severance benefits after the UMWA and the AFL-CIO had notified the company of its stockholder proposal on golden parachutes. The Board of Directors has also announced that will also support the UMWA’s and AFL-CIO’s proposal for equal access to the proxy, a corporate governance best practice that many investors favor. 

“We look forward to improving Warrior Met’s corporate governance by bringing these stockholder proposals to a vote,” said Roberts.

For more information, please see the UWMA’s and AFL-CIO’s proxy statement on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1691303/000121465924005025/o322245defn14a.htm.

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UMWA Announces Tentative Agreement with Crimson Oak Grove Resources, LLC in Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2024

UMWA Announces Tentative Agreement with Crimson Oak Grove Resources, LLC in Alabama. (Adger, AL)

 

[TRIANGLE, VA] The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Crimson Oak Grove Resources, LLC for its mine in Adger, Alabama.

UMWA members will hear a contract explanation at a meeting early next week and then will hold a ratification vote two days later. Details of the tentative agreement will not be released until after the ratification vote.

The UMWA represents 418 workers at the mine and related facilities, which mines metallurgical grade coal used in steel making.

Moshe Marvit Confirmed to Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2024

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

“I am pleased with the U.S. Senate confirmed Moshe Marvit as a Commissioner to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. As a highly regarded attorney and worker’s advocate, Marvit has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fairly upholding mine safety laws and protecting workers’ rights throughout his career.

“As a result of his extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to mine safety and health, Moshe Marvit is ready to address the challenges faced by working miners. This confirmation reflects a significant step towards ensuring the safeguarding of miners’ rights in every mine across the country.

“I congratulate Moshe on this well-deserved confirmation and look forward to the positive impact he will have on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.”

Say No to the Moss 3 Landfill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 5, 2024

 

Say No to the Moss 3 Landfill

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

“It has come to my attention that Russell County is considering the establishment of a landfill on the grounds of the old Moss 3 Mine. For anyone acquainted with the profound history of the United Mine Workers, the Moss 3 Preparation Plant was a pivotal site in the Pittston Coal Strike of 1989. A strike, I believe, marked a turning point in the fight for workers’ rights in America.

“The Moss 3 Preparation Plant witnessed a four-day takeover by UMWA members during the strike, a bold move that galvanized the labor movement across the country. Local community members formed a human shield around the plant, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the cause and embodying the spirit of solidarity. Just a short distance away was ‘Camp Solidarity,’ housing over 1,000 supporters who provided shelter and sustenance for strikers and visitors.

“The lessons of this historic strike, particularly the Moss 3 takeover, extend far beyond the borders of southwest Virginia. It is etched into the broader labor movement’s narrative, serving as an example of unity and resilience. This strike, marked by its length and the sheer magnitude of civil disobedience, set a modern template for protecting the rights of working families across the world.

“To even contemplate placing a landfill on this historic site is not only disrespectful to UMWA’s legacy and the labor movement but an outright travesty against the community that rallied during the strike to safeguard their families’ well-being.

“We adamantly oppose the Moss 3 Landfill, and we call upon every member of our community to stand firm in saying NO to this outrageous proposal. Join us in preserving the sanctity of our history and the legacy of those who fought tirelessly for workers’ rights.”

Click here to watch a video on the Pittston Strike.

UMWA Reaches Agreement with RemArm LLC on Employment Terms and Conditions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UMWA Reaches Agreement with RemArm LLC

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

 

UMWA Reaches Agreement with RemArm LLC on Employment Terms and Conditions

[TRIANGLE, VA.] – The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced today that it has reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with RemArm LLC, providing pay for UMWA members as the company closes its Ilion, N.Y. plant in March.

While the UMWA remains steadfastly opposed to the closure of the Ilion plant, our Local Union and International bargaining team reached an agreement with the Company to ensure that the hard-working men and women who have dedicated their efforts to building this company are provided with a measure of support during this challenging time.

“Though the closure of the Ilion plant is unnecessary in our view, our unwavering focus is on safeguarding the well-being of our members as best we can,” said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts. “This agreement will provide financial support to those affected by this plant closure.”

As part of this agreement, affected workers will receive monetary payments distributed over a 12-week period. Additionally, employees will be compensated for their unused accrued vacation, providing some additional financial relief during the transitional period.

Laid-off UMWA members can also receive financial assistance through the union’s International Relief Fund, which pays a monthly stipend to help cover essential expenses, including groceries, as workers transition to new employment.

UMWA Expresses Support with Senator Joe Manchin and Family After Car Accident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 31, 2024

 

UMWA Expresses Support with Senator Joe Manchin and Family After Car Accident

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

“The entire Union extends its heartfelt wishes for a swift and complete recovery to Gayle Manchin, Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, following the recent car accident in Birmingham, Alabama. We also express our concern for her colleague, Guy Land, and hope for his speedy recovery.

“Our thoughts are with Senator Joe Manchin and his family during this challenging time. We commend the first responders in Birmingham for their immediate assistance and the staff at UAB Hospital for providing excellent care.

“We send positive thoughts and strength to the Manchin family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. The UMWA stands ready to offer any assistance needed during this period of recovery.”