Common ground: Union, companies hope to settle strike swiftly
WAYNESBURG – It has been six days after more than 1,200 coal miners, including nearly 1,000 from Greene County, went on strike following a labor dispute with Maryland-based Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced on Wednesday that miners employed at three of Foundation Coal’s mines hit the picket lines at 12:01 a.m. that morning after late-night negotiations between the coal company and union officials failed to resolve a dispute over what the UMWA called unfair labor practices.
And though there were no new major developments or updates as of Monday regarding the ongoing negotiations, officials from both sides of the dispute were in agreement on at least one thing: They want to see the strike come to an end.
The 1,200 striking miners – including 523 from Foundation Coal’s Cumberland Mine and 473 from its Emerald mine, both near Waynesburg – have been picketing outside several of the mine portal entrances since the walkout began. There also are 241 striking miners who walked out at another one of Foundation Coal’s mines, the Wabash mine located near Keensburg, Ill.
Union officials have stated that the UMWA negotiated a national contract with mine operators in December, but Foundation Coal has refused to cover employees at the three mines under the new agreement. Foundation Coal has argued that that the three mines have different needs not addressed by the national contract, reports indicated.
In a written statement, UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts said the union remains willing to meet with the company’s representatives to resolve the differences.
“We did not want this strike in the first place, and we do not want it to go longer than it has to,” he said. “All we’re seeking is a collective bargaining agreement that’s fair, equitable and reasonable for our members and their families.”
Roberts said the striking workers and their families would receive health-care coverage and other strike benefits through the union’s $116 million strike fund.
“We have sufficient resources to maintain this struggle for as long as it takes,” he said.
Peter Vietti, a spokesman for Foundation Coal, said Monday the company is hoping for some positive developments in the negotiations over the next several days, and he is confident that both sides can come to a resolution quickly.
“Nobody benefits from a strike, and both of these employers remain ready to sign the national agreement,” he said. “Timely resumption of operations benefits our employees, their families, and the communities in which they live. A quick resolution is in everyone’s best interests.”
Miners picketing in front of the Emerald Mine Portal No. 1 on Route 218 said Monday that they had not heard of any updates regarding negotiations, but a rumor had circulated Monday that a meeting had been scheduled for today between Foundation Coal and UMWA representatives. Union officials later confirmed that rumor was untrue, according to reports.
Several miners who asked not to be identified agreed that when it came to settling the dispute, the ball was in the coal company’s court.
“The negotiations are now up to Foundation Coal,” said one picketer, who said he has been employed with the mine for more than 30 years. “The contracts are already made up … the company just needs to do the right thing. In my opinion, this whole issue comes down to bad management on their part.”
“This is about corporate greed, plain and simple,” said another picketer. “Foundation Coal’s stockholders and executives have become millionaires over the years, so the company should give us what we deserve, what we’ve worked so hard for.”
Roberts noted that the Cumberland and Emerald mines have helped make Foundation Coal one of the most profitable coal companies in the country, accounting for an estimated 70 percent of the company’s coal profits.
The picketers said they also would continue to fight for the miners at the Wabash Mine. On the same day the strike began, Foundation Coal announced that the company was closing the Illinois mine because of financial issues.
Bud Abbott, president of UMWA Local 2258, said Monday that he had not received any updates regarding any scheduled meetings. And though the miners have been rotating eight-hour shifts to picket 24 hours a day at the sites since the walkout, he said the morale of the picketers continues to be high.
“After five days, they are upbeat and in very good spirits,” he said. “They know they are out there fighting for their families, and they are fighting for their future.”
Abbott said the strikers are appreciative of the support they have received from the community during the past five days.
“We cannot say enough kind words about the businesses and individuals who have showed their support and generosity,” he said. “People are dropping off food and water, helping us with other provisions, driving by and honking their horns to show their support. It makes us feel good knowing we’re not out there by ourselves, that we’re not alone as we stand up for what’s right.”
Phone calls to Roberts and to Ed Yankovich Jr., vice president of UMWA International District 2, regarding updates on the strike were not returned by press time.
Foundation Coal operates 13 coal mines and related facilities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming. The company employs about 3,000 people and produces an estimated 72 million tons annually, largely for utilities generating electricity.