CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The United Mine Workers of America is reopening the collective bargaining agreement with the Bituminous Coal Operators Association in order to negotiate a wage increase with Murray Energy Corp. properties.
The UMWA said Monday the agreement has been in effect since August 2016 and contains provisions allowing either side to reopen the contract.
All subsidiaries of Murray Energy Crop. signed the agreement.
UMWA President Cecil Roberts said 2,000 active union members with Murray Energy have not had a raise since January 2016.
“They saved the company from going into bankruptcy when they ratified the current agreement, which did not have any wage increases and included modifications in their health care benefits and other provisions, in August 2016,” he said.
“Since that time, their hard work and tremendous productivity have brought Murray back from the financial brink. Today it is a successful, profitable, expanding company. There really should be no impediments to the two sides sitting down and reaching a fair agreement.”
The UMWA said in a statement it contacted the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service about the decision.