UMWA Members Plan 'Unity Rallies' Amid Strike At Warrior Met

BROOKWOOD, AL — Nearly two weeks have passed since more than 1,000 union employees at a major West Alabama employer walked off the job in a strike against what United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) views as unfair labor practices by the company.

UMWA announced Monday that the UMWA International union board held a special meeting to start the week to discuss the strike at Warrior Met Coal, which began April 1 at 10 p.m. While both sides appeared to be close to a compromise at the end of last week, the new tentative collective bargaining was ultimately voted down in local union halls on Friday.

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“The Warrior Met miners have overwhelmingly voted to continue this strike,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “The union is mobilizing its entire resources to support them.”

In response to the protracted strike, Roberts announced UMWA will begin holding “Unity Rallies” in the Brookwood for members, families and community supporters to build solidarity and hear from local and national allies.

The union also said it will be contributing $50,000 to establish a relief fund for workers and families, while later the week UMWA will pay roughly $600,000 in the first wave of bi-weekly strike benefits to dues-paying members who have participated in strike activity.

Additionally, UMWA says it has purchased health care insurance for striking members and families.

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