TRIANGLE, Va. — UMWA membership rejected a proposed agreement Tuesday with the Bituminous Coal Operators Association.
UMWA International President Cecil Roberts issued the following statement following a vote not to ratify a proposed collective bargaining agreement with the BCOA:
“This is a democratic union. The membership has had their say and I respect their decision,” Roberts said. “This is a very hard time for everyone in the coal industry, especially those who actually mine the coal. Thousands are laid off and those who remain at work confront ever-more difficult working conditions. Today’s vote reflects those difficulties and I understand that.”