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UMWA President Roberts addresses NALC Convention amid continuing Alabama mine workers’ strike

Since April 2021, four local branches of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in Alabama have been on strike. Since that time, these UMWA members have been threatened and faced intimidation from Warrior Met Coal, which installed video cameras and other recording devices at picket lines and along rural roads in Alabama.

Warrior Met Coal filed a case with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) citing lost production, normal maintenance and construction, security and expenditures before the strike began. On July 22, NLRB sent UMWA a detailed list of damages totaling $13.3 million dollars. While the UMWA has no intention of paying these exorbitant damage costs, this ruling from the NLRB is unjust and troubling for all unions and the labor movement. NALC stands with the members of UMWA and their efforts to fight this ruling.

On Tuesday, UMWA President Cecil Roberts address the 72nd biennial convention and discussed the ongoing strike and NLRB’s outrageous ruling. After his remarks, NALC President Fredric Rolando announced an NALC pledge of $25,000 to the mine workers’ strike fund. These funds will help support our brothers and sisters until they are able to reach a fair and equitable contract.

Click here for more information on the UMWA strike fund.