[/quote]US Steel doesn't own any coal mines now. They sold their mine to some of those rich investors I've referred to and the mine is still in operation with a workforce that hasn't been destroyed.
TCI/US Steel owned the mine for decades and since the mine sold it has changed hands numerous times. It isn't connected to the mines in Brookwood that we're talking about except for being in the same coal seam. The mine is still operating. The union hasn't destroyed it. [/quote]
Not for lack of trying I assure you. They certainly did not sell Oak Grove to rich investors. I can promise you that.
I was close enough to know that what Walter Industries did to all employees when they declared bankruptcy was a travesty. Non-union and union employees alike lost pensions, retirements and years of service. At the time coal prices were garbage and had not someone stepped in to take over, the mines would have closed and the town of Brookwood would have suffered as a result since they are closely tied to one another. So be careful about your talk about rich investors. The union did take concessions that both parties agreed to but no where in that agreement did it say that once the Company began to perform better financially, then the union would go back to where they were. Perhaps that should have been in the labor agreement….
I’ll provide some additional facts for you. The coal industry in this state is not what it used to be 10 years ago much less 30. Coal jobs are NOT in high demand The UMWA has contracts in place at the 2 closest competitor mines, including a brand new contract at one negotiated while the strike was going on. What made them agree to terms at this locations but not Warrior Met? Maybe you should find out what they got and are working while others are striking and getting nothing. You WILL NEVER recoup the lost earnings that you have missed while being out on strike. Union leadership has not missed a check while you have been out of work. (Yours and others dues money at work) Others are willing to work for what you thought was bad enough to strike over, until that supply dries up you better be in for the long haul. You’re 7 months in with no ongoing discussions towards a solution. That should tell you something. Coal prices are rebounding and they are not going to stop mining because of a strike.
May be time for those involved to take a good look at what their UMWA brothers/sisters have agreed to at the other mines and work towards an agreement that resembles those because in the end that is who you will be competing against not Warrior Met Mgt. Peabody and Murray will gladly produce and sell coal to those who want it and those who can’t will be left behind.
