Union Vote On Friday Likely To End Strike At Warrior Met Coal

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A brief labor strike at a major west Alabama coal producer could soon come to a close as the union and company appear to be close to a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced Monday that a tentative collective bargaining agreement had been reached between the UMWA and Brookwood-based Warrior Met Coal.

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UMWA said in a statement that it is not releasing details of the agreement until its members have heard them and held a ratification vote.

Patch previously reported that 1,100 union miners went on strike last Thursday at 10 p.m., citing unfair labor practices by the company, which continues to reel from declining market demand and its previous bankruptcy under the Walter Energy brand.

“I am so very proud of our members at Warrior Met for standing up for themselves, their families and their communities,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Going on strike is a difficult thing to do, but they have shown tremendous unity on the picket lines. Their story is being told across the world right now, and it is one of strength, determination and solidarity.

Roberts then said if the tentative collective bargaining agreement is ratified, then the strike will end and union members will have a new contract. However, the strike will continue if the agreement is not settled upon.

UMWA went on to say contract explanation meetings will be held on Wednesday, with the ratification vote to be held 48 hours after at each local union. The vote will be on Friday, April 9.

The results of the vote will be announced as soon as it is certified by the UMWA’s Auditor/Tellers.

Attempts to contact representatives from Warrior Met Coal by Tuscaloosa Patch were unsuccessful on Monday.

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