Patriot Coal, UMWA reach agreement on labor contract, retiree health care

Source: St. Louis Business Journal

Patriot Coal and the United Mine Workers of America have reached a settlement on new employment terms and on health care benefits for retirees represented by the union, union and company officials announced Monday.

The agreement makes “significant improvements” to the motion that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy Surratt-States granted May 29 allowing Patriot to reject collective bargaining agreements with the UMWA and modify retiree benefits, union officials said Monday.

“We have been able to restore, or at least improve upon, many of the most drastic changes that the judge ordered, including in the area of wages, health care benefits, paid time off, pensions and more,” UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said in a statement. “In addition, we have negotiated a mechanism that will allow retiree health care benefits to continue.”

Union members will vote on the agreement Aug. 16.

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