SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. — UMWA reached an agreement “in principal” with Blackhawk and VCLF Thursday as bidders for the bankrupt Patriot Coal company.
“These prospective agreements would not have been reached without the strength and dedication of our membership,” UMWA President Cecil Robers said as part of a statement. “Once again, active and retired UMWA members stepped up and made it clear that they wanted to protect UMWA jobs and retiree health care, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”
Last month, Roberts led a rally at Patriot Coal headquarters in Scott Depot where miners and their families from several states turned out in support of the union.
Roberts explained that more legal hurdles and work to do on the actual language of the agreements still needs to be completed. After that process is done he said the agreements would be voted on before details are released to the public.
“Because there are still details to be worked out and the legal process needs to be finished, it is not yet clear when that vote will be. We will keep our local union leadership and membership fully informed as we move forward in the coming days,” said Roberts.