Recent Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[TRIANGLE, VA.] Members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) who work at Patriot Coal operations in West Virginia and Kentucky today ratified a settlement the union reached with the company late last week that makes significant improvements in terms and conditions of employment over a federal Bankruptcy Judge’s order from last May.

The final tally was 85% in favor to 15% opposed. Members from 13 local unions participated in the vote, which was overseen by UMWA local union tellers and conducted at worksites. The UMWA International Auditor/Tellers have certified the vote.

Charleston, W.Va. - United Mine Workers of America and Patriot Coal announced a settlement Monday on retiree's health-care benefits, after a federal bankruptcy judge earlier this year allowed the company to throw out union-negotiated contracts and significantly reduce those benefits.

In a news release, the UMW said the settlement includes significant improvements in the terms and conditions of employment form those approved by federal U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy Surratt-States in Missouri on May 29 and implemented by Patriot on July 1.

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Sixteen labor leaders were arrested at a peaceful sit-in here yesterday after 11,000 active and retired union miners marched on the offices of Patriot Coal headquarters at Laidley Tower on Lee Street.

The march, the rally and the sit-in, organized by the United Mine Workers of America, was in support of the union's Fairness at Patriot campaign to save health care for retired miners and win improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions for miners now on the job.

Charleston, WV - In case you missed it: Yesterday in Beckley, West Virginia, coal miners and working families did not let heavy rain stop them from coming out in full force against Republican candidates Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, Evan Jenkins and Alex Mooney as they campaigned with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

The West Virginia AFL-CIO and United Mine Workers of America were well represented at the protest.

At the 28th Constitutional Conention of the West Virginia AFL-CIO in Charleston on Oct. 23 and 24, West Virginia AFL-CIO President Kenneth M. Perdue and Secretary-Treasurer Josh Sword were elected to lead the labor organization for the next four years.

Perdue, a sheet metal worker, was elected to his third term, while Sword, former political director for AFT-West Virginia, was elected to his first.

Charleston, WV - In an effort to support McDowell County, the West Virginia AFL-CIO has donated $6,500 to the Council of the Southern Mountains, a community action agency helping low-income families achieve self-sufficiency in the southern part of the state. The donation will aid in building new housing in the county. The new housing development is part of the “Reconnecting McDowell”project.

“We saw this as an exciting opportunity in assisting McDowell County to provide quality housing that is desperately needed for its residents. We were very fortunate to have partners such as AFTWV, Delegate Moore and The Council of the Southern Mountains in providing money for completing the water line for the new homes,” said Kenny Perdue, President of the AFL-CIO.