Uncertainty Persists As Warrior Met Coal Responds To UMWA's Offer To Return To Work

BROOKWOOD, AL — United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts on Monday issued a statement confirming that Warrior Met Coal has responded to the union's letter of “unconditional offer to return to work.”

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As Patch previously reported, UMWA sent a letter last week to Warrior Met Coal CEO Walt Scheller announcing that the UMWA membership who have been on an unfair labor practice strike at Warrior Met Coal would return to work at the company’s four locations on March 2.

It should be noted that the offer the union made to the company and the decision ultimately comes down to whether or not the company will agree to bring its Alabama workers back.

What's more, union officials have said it is also up to the worker whether or not they want to return while UMWA continues its fight for better wages and benefits on behalf of the workers.

“We received a response from Warrior Met Coal to our unconditional offer to return to work late on February 17," Roberts said on Monday. "We have replied to the company, asking several questions that we need to know the answers to before we can discuss the next steps with our members and be responsive to the company’s letter.”

It remains unclear exactly what the company said in response to the union's request.

As Patch previously reported, UMWA issued an unfair labor practice strike notice at Warrior Met Coal, Inc., to begin on April 1, 2021, which came as the restructured company continued to battle back from its 2016 bankruptcy.

The strike notice covered more than 1,100 workers at all of the company's operations, including the No. 4 mine, the No. 5 preparation plant, the No. 7 mine and its Central Shop.

The union also filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board relating to Warrior Met's conduct during negotiations.

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