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UMW leader: No compromise
niedbala@observer-reporter.com
WAYNESBURG - At a rally held Wednesday to celebrate the annual coal miners' holiday, United Mine Workers of America President Cecil E. Roberts urged members to commit to the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act.
Speaking to more than 1,000 union members at the Greene County Fairgrounds, Roberts also said the union is committed to seeing that two new mines proposed to be built by Foundation Coal open as union mines.
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A number of speakers took the stage, including Daniel Kane, UMW secretary/treasurer, and Nemacolin native Richard Trumka, former UMW president, now secretary/treasurer of the AFL-CIO.
Roberts spoke of the union's fight several years ago to ensure health benefits for its retired members. He asked that the same effort now be brought to bear to support the Employee Free Choice Act.
"Are you ready to lead the same fight to organize the unorganized?" Roberts asked. "Are you ready to tell every politician ... that this is the most important issue of our lifetime?"
The act would require the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the employees' bargaining representative without an election if a majority of the employees sign union membership cards.
It is opposed by those who say the lack of a secret ballot would take away freedom and democracy in the workplace.
With more than a hint of sarcasm, Roberts said he's sure corporate heads really worry every day about what goes on in the workplace. It's the union, he said, that ensures freedom and democracy by giving workers a voice.
Members in Congress now say there must be a compromise in regard to the act.
"I got news for them," Roberts said. "We do not intend to compromise one iota. We have been compromising for far too long."
Roberts said the union also refuses to compromise on other issues, including health care for everyone and safety in the mines. "We have compromised with our lives. We have compromised with our health. We do not intend to compromise any longer."
Roberts also spoke of the benefits of the act in terms of stimulating the economy.
"If you want to end poverty in the United States of America, put workers in a union," he said. "If you want to put money in the economy and drive up wages so people can buy cars and stoves and everything else, put them in a union and pay them union wages," he said.
A group of miners from Consol Energy's Fola Mine in Clay County, W.Va., also attended the rally and spoke of their efforts to organize a union and the need for the act.
Roberts, in addition, spoke of the union's strike against Foundation Coal two years ago when the company would not accept a union contract for its Emerald and Cumberland mines.
"You, the membership of the United Mine Workers, came right here," Roberts said, referring to a similar rally held at the fairgrounds then.
"You proclaimed on that day 'We won't back down; we won't turn around. There are no backward steps,'" he said. The effort led to the one of the best union contracts in America, Roberts said. But now Foundation proposes to open two new mines without the union.
"These (union) people make you more money than any of the coal mines you've got, and they're saying, 'I don't want to take you to another coal mine,'" he said.
"The stockholders have to realize the leadership of Foundation do not run a shuttle car or a continuous miner. There would not be one ounce of coal from out of these mines if it wasn't for the United Mine Workers of America."
Trumka also promised to stand with the Foundation Coal workers and, if necessary, bring every member of the AFL-CIO to Greene County to help.
"They want to take the profit that was generated by UMWA miners and use it to open up nonunion operations," he said. "One thing is certain. We cannot and will not let them take away from us any longer."
Company officials have said the company intends to open the two mines and then let the workers decide whether the mines will be union.
Time Warp : 4/2/2009
The UMW always appears to be a in time warp to the past. This legislation is wrong minded, but beyond that maybe someone should tell that Coal is being endangered as an industry by their allies in the White House. Also that with jobs at a premium, there are plently of people that would mine the coal. No wonder I like Atlas Shrugged.
Unions : 4/2/2009
When both of my grandfathers entered coal mines the unions were instrumental in safety and benefits. Now the unions leaders protect "their" own butts. Trumka is now Afl-Cio. Imagine that and ask him how much he makes to be a Hoffa like rebel rouser. If you do not pay dues these fat cats of the unions would actually have to get a job. Top leadership of the unions have not been exposed because their boy Obama needs them to get you votes. Wake up American workers these leeches are not helping you as much as they are helping themselves. Keep working and cheering, Trumka and his boys are laughing all the way to the bank. Why was Jock Jablonsky killed??
Union NO _X__ : 4/2/2009
Ugh, the old fashioned cry of the unions. they have systematically destroyed so many communities throughout this country with their "no compromise" mentality. Be happy you have highly overpaid jobs and the current protections you have and keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, you better also keep your mouth shut when the companies close, move operations, or find alternative ways to stay in business. And yes, your "democrat" voting has put you exactly where you are now. You keep buying the campaign promises and keep pulling that lever, but the sad truth is that you'll never see the light and continue to live under the false assumption that democrats care more about you and your jobs than the rebublicans.
Paulie Walnuts : 4/2/2009
The guy clapping in the background looks just like Paulie from the Sopranos. I wouldn't write any negative comments about these guys. You'll end up wacked. You older folks might know him from the Denny's commercials.. haha!
Union! : 4/2/2009
If it wasn't for the Union existing, the non-union workers wouldn't get what they get now. Its their threats to organize that help their cause. People wish there was no union, but the days when the union mattered, things were A LOT better in America. It wasn't white collar workers who built Western Pennsylvania, but blue collar, unionized labor.
Answer to poverty : 4/2/2009
I find one quote in here extremely alarming..."..end poverty...put workers in a union" well I am in a union and the only thing it does for me is take money from my pay. The union I have caves to all demands depsite it's members outcries (the big shots must get kickbacks) oh and told us who to vote for. The only reason the union is there that I can see if for those people who can't do their jobs and need protection from being fired. I could (and maybe should) go elsewhere and make just as much being non union. OH, and I have no choice but to be union, unless my religious beliefs state otherwise.
Unions : 4/2/2009
Aww it's Jock Yablonski and it's the old time miners they worked hard to get a union lets respect including my Dad I will support their honor cause they did it for us remember that please.
TRUMKA : 4/3/2009
REMEMBER BAILEY MINE - WHERE WAS TRUMKA THEN ????????
Employee "FREE" choice act? : 4/4/2009
Seems like the union folk don't want you to have your own vote, they want to be able to see who/what your voting for. It looks like alot of pressure could come your way if you don't vote the way some may want you to. America really should be able to see what the UAW have done to the auto industry; job banks that pay hundreds of people for NOT working, $75 an hour for easy jobs and paying people full wage after quota is hit and the plant closes till the new year arrives. Look, my dad and his dad were miners. The UMWA was a great thing then and, in most instenses, is now. All I ask is don't protect the people who don't want to work, don't ask for an unresonable wage that will price you or someone in the future out of a job and, PLEASE, stop supporting the politics that will put you out of business!!!! Get smart UMWA, this admin is not your friend, they used you to get in office. Don't close your eyes to them or you won't see the knife that will be sticking out of your back!!!!
Union all the way : 4/10/2009
I have worked union and non-union, and I can't say anything bad about a union mine. I've seen 250 people fired at a non-union mine over a 2 year period. Everyone would just trip over each other trying to please the boss man. Backstabbing and narking on each other to get ahead. I saw people fired because the boss didn't like their wife or brother or dad. It is plain sickening. I saw a boss come on the section one day and was mad because production was down and he got his butt chewed off and fired the first person he seen on the section and threatened the rest of em with their job. I love the union. I understand there are people at my union who don't work very hard, but there is alot of us that bust our buns everyday. We are proud Union Miners and aren't taking a back seat to no one. I will take my pay, benefits, sick days, floaters, vacation days, 100% covered insurance. Dental, Eye, Life Insurance, Pension, Bereavement Days, Optional saturday and sunday shifts, Not being treated like a piece of dirt, for your 7 days a week for nothing, scared for your job, anytime. We have company bosses in our mine that said they are glad the union is there because they wouldn't be making the money that they make. I love the union.
