THOUSANDS OF RETIRED UMWA COAL MINERS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR PENSIONS

     Right now, there are thousands of retired UMWA coal miners who are about to lose their pensions and health care benefits on 12/31/16, because the coal companies they worked for are going bankrupt.

     You might be wondering "what is a pension?" Its a retirement that an employer pays into, and you get a monthly (or lump sum) pay out when you retire. If your company goes belly up after you retire, you may lose those monthly payments. That's whats happened here.

     You may say "that's the way the game is played, you make your choices and live with them. People chose to work in the mines, for these companies, and opted for the monthly payment plan. Thats their problem, why should the federal government spend my tax dollars on them?" First of all, an opinion like that shows you have no heart. Second, thousands of coal miners without a pay check affects our communities (YOU) as well. With less money circulating in our communities, it will hurt local business, tax revenues, which hurt school systems, increase the number of people on Medicaid/Medicare, etc. etc. The cost of fixing this issue, is dwarfed by the cost of not helping retired Coal miners. 3. The federal government, under President Harry Truman guaranteed the pensions and health care benefits of UMWA miners in strike negotiations in 1946.  Under that agreement, “coal miners made a commitment to provide the nation with much-needed energy even at the risk of their lives and health in often dangerous conditions,” UMWA International President Cecil Roberts told a Senate Finance Committee hearing in March. In exchange, he said, the government promised to ensure miners have health care and pension benefits upon retirement.

     So, how do we fix the problem? There is legislation called "The Miners Protection Act" which would take funds from the Abandoned Mine Lands program to pay for the pensions and health care. The fix is already paid for, it just needs to be voted on. So why hasnt it? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has concerns over the pension benefits for non-union retired Coal Miners. Thats commendable, being concerned about his citizens. One day, I hope that the Senator does help non-union coal miners, Im sure they need it, coal mining can have a devastating effect on a persons body. However, as has already been mentioned, it was the UMWA contract that was guaranteed by the government, not anyone elses. The U.S. government needs to live up to its end of the bargain and pass the Miners Protection Act. After that, it would be a good thing to help the other coal miners. This should be passed first though, as the USA needs to fulfill a promise. 

     There is a side note here, its suspected (and denied) that Senator McConnell is holding a grudge  against the UMWA, because the UMWA supported his opponent in his last election. Theres no way to prove that ofcourse, its just interesting that Senator McConnell is holding up this legislation. 

     So what can we do about it? Call your congressman and Senators and tell them the USA needs to live up to its responsibilities to UMWA coal miners, and pass the Miners Protection Act. You can find the phone numbers in the links on the right hand column to the U.S. Senate and House of representatives. 

    You can also send a letter, like so:

      To the honorable ___________,

    Thousands of retired UMWA coal miners are about to lose their benefits, because the coal industry is in decline. The USA under President Harry Truman has guaranteed the pensions and benefits of UMWA coal miners in 1946. Please assist the USA in living up to its responsibilities, and help thousands of coal miners, by asking to bring the Miners Protection Act to vote, and then voting for it. Thank you,


http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20161205/GZ0101/161209732

http://money.cnn.com/retirement/guide/pensions_pensions.moneymag/

http://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8AE79D43-7777-428B-B1B1-2ED6C21C14E7

http://wvmetronews.com/2016/12/01/manchin-ready-to-keep-congress-in-session-if-theres-no-vote-on-miners-protection-act/

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/308945-mcconnell-spending-bill-will-include-miners-pension-fix

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1714

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/28/opinion/retired-coal-miners-losing-their-safety-net.html?_r=0

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/03/senators-face-off-over-bill-help-retired-coal-miners/86605246/

http://umwa.org/news-media/journal/the-promise-of-1946/