United Mine Workers of America News

Mine Worker Advocates Worried Coal Firm’s Tax Cut Jeopardizes Black Lung Fund

The Trump administration and coal industry allies are insisting that a federal black lung trust fund will continue to pay benefits to sick miners despite a drastic cut in funding. But the expected shortfalls will be covered by taxpayers instead …

U.S. Court Approves Clean-Up Deals, Executive Bonuses for Peabody

Bankrupt coal company Peabody Energy has won U.S. court approval for agreements with three states to partially cover $1.14 billion in potential environmental liabilities and for a bonus plan for its six top executives. Under the agreements, Wyoming can receive …

Miners’ Union Takes Unusual Legal Turn to Save Benefits in Bankruptcy

As mineworkers and retirees battle to salvage their pensions and benefits from the bankruptcy of Patriot Coal Corp., lawyers for their union are trying an unusual gambit – and one that may be a test case for workers’ rights when …