Seeking Fair Deal, Mine Workers Strike Three Mines; Company Closes One

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AFL-CIO weblog

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/04/04/seeking-fair-deal-not-concessions-mine-workers-strike-three-mines-company-closes-one/

Seeking Fair Deal, Mine Workers Strike Three Mines; Company Closes One

by Mike Hall, Apr 4, 2007

More than 1,200 Mine Workers (UMWA) are on strike at three Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. mines after late-night negotiations failed to produce an agreement yesterday. The miners struck at 12:01 a.m. today at the Cumberland and Emerald mines near Waynesburg, Pa., and the Wabash Mine near Keensburg, Ill.

Late this afternoon, Foundation announced it would shut the Wabash Mine.

UMWA President Cecil Roberts says:

Foundation Coal Holdings’ statement today that the Wabash Mine needed “significant cost reductions and major capital investment” speaks for itself. This mine was likely to close whether we reached an agreement or not.

That the company chose to make its announcement today is revealing. The brutal message in today’s press release from Foundation only serves to strengthen our resolve. We will continue to fight for every miner and family at all three mines. Closing Wabash will not change that fact.




Read more: http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/04/04/seeking-fair-deal-not-concessions-mine-workers-strike-three-mines-company-closes-one/

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