2021-2023 Warrior Met Coal strike: Difference between revisions
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Union members rejected a tentative deal in early April and the strike continued into June. In May 11 picketers were arrested and charged with trespassing at the gate entrance to the [[Brookwood Mine|No. 7 Mine]]. On [[June 22]] UMWA president Cecil Roberts was joined by 14 Brookwood miners to picket outside the offices of BlackRock Fund Advisors, State Street Global Advisors, and Renaissance Technologies in Manhattan. They were joined by supporters from the [[Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Mid-South Council|RWDSU]] and the Association of Flight Attendants. The picketing outside BlackRock's offices at 40 East 52nd Street in New York City was repeated on [[July 28]], with hundreds of participants. In August a rally held at [[Brookwood Ballpark]] brought around 2,000 people supporting the striking workers. | Union members rejected a tentative deal in early April and the strike continued into June. In May 11 picketers were arrested and charged with trespassing at the gate entrance to the [[Brookwood Mine|No. 7 Mine]]. On [[June 22]] UMWA president Cecil Roberts was joined by 14 Brookwood miners to picket outside the offices of BlackRock Fund Advisors, State Street Global Advisors, and Renaissance Technologies in Manhattan. They were joined by supporters from the [[Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Mid-South Council|RWDSU]] and the Association of Flight Attendants. The picketing outside BlackRock's offices at 40 East 52nd Street in New York City was repeated on [[July 28]], with hundreds of participants. In August a rally held at [[Brookwood Ballpark]] brought around 2,000 people supporting the striking workers. | ||
On three occasions company officials reported damage to electrical transmission and distribution equipment at the mine. The [[Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office]] is investigating the incidents. The UMWA said it did not condone any type of violence or sabotage. | On three occasions company officials reported damage to electrical transmission and distribution equipment at the mine. The [[Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office]] is investigating the incidents. The UMWA said it did not condone any type of violence or sabotage. In September the union complained about the [[Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]] escorting buses of scabs past the picket line. | ||
In its quarterly report, Warrior Met Coal announced that the strike had cost the company around $7 million. It idled Mine No. 4 and significantly limited production at Mine No. 7. Also during the strike, Warrior Met Coal was found to have allowed pollutants to drain into [[Texas Creek]] from its coal preparation plant. | In its quarterly report, Warrior Met Coal announced that the strike had cost the company around $7 million. It idled Mine No. 4 and significantly limited production at Mine No. 7. Also during the strike, Warrior Met Coal was found to have allowed pollutants to drain into [[Texas Creek]] from its coal preparation plant. | ||
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* Thornton, William (August 4, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners draw strength from thousands at rally: ‘We’re not asking for much’." {{BN}} | * Thornton, William (August 4, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners draw strength from thousands at rally: ‘We’re not asking for much’." {{BN}} | ||
* Thornton, William (August 5, 2021) "Miners strike cost Warrior Met Coal $7 million in second quarter, company says." {{BN}} | * Thornton, William (August 5, 2021) "Miners strike cost Warrior Met Coal $7 million in second quarter, company says." {{BN}} | ||
* Thornton, William (September 17, 2021) "Alabama troopers escort workers past striking coal miners ‘like they’re working for the company,’ union says." {{BN}} | |||
[[Category:Labor disputes]] | [[Category:Labor disputes]] | ||
[[Category:2021 events]] | [[Category:2021 events]] | ||
[[Category:Mining]] | [[Category:Mining]] | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 12 October 2021
The 2021 Warrior Met Coal strike was a targeted labor strike carried out by approximately 1,100 workers at Warrior Met Coal organized under the UMWA Local No. 2397 in Brookwood. The walk-out began on April 1, 2021.
The strike was planned in response to the company's contract proposal. Miners recalled making concessions to help keep the mine operating when Warrior Met Coal declared bankruptcy in 2016. Though the company had returned to profitability, it only partially restored those concessions in their offer. For example, miners saw wages drop by $6 an hour, but were offered only a $1.50/hour raise, which would be implemented over 5 years. Workers voted to insist on restoring their full pay and fully funding their existing health insurance plans. Warrior Met Coal rejected those terms and continued to operate, relying on non-Union workers and on stockpiles of mined coal it had built up before the former contract expired.
Union members rejected a tentative deal in early April and the strike continued into June. In May 11 picketers were arrested and charged with trespassing at the gate entrance to the No. 7 Mine. On June 22 UMWA president Cecil Roberts was joined by 14 Brookwood miners to picket outside the offices of BlackRock Fund Advisors, State Street Global Advisors, and Renaissance Technologies in Manhattan. They were joined by supporters from the RWDSU and the Association of Flight Attendants. The picketing outside BlackRock's offices at 40 East 52nd Street in New York City was repeated on July 28, with hundreds of participants. In August a rally held at Brookwood Ballpark brought around 2,000 people supporting the striking workers.
On three occasions company officials reported damage to electrical transmission and distribution equipment at the mine. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incidents. The UMWA said it did not condone any type of violence or sabotage. In September the union complained about the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency escorting buses of scabs past the picket line.
In its quarterly report, Warrior Met Coal announced that the strike had cost the company around $7 million. It idled Mine No. 4 and significantly limited production at Mine No. 7. Also during the strike, Warrior Met Coal was found to have allowed pollutants to drain into Texas Creek from its coal preparation plant.
References
- Thornton, William (April 12, 2021) "Alabama coal mine strike continues after union rejects offer." The Birmingham News
- "Nearly a dozen striking Alabama coal miners arrested at protest." (May 26, 2021) Associated Press/The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (June 7, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners endure arrests, see little progress: 'We're just standing together'." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (June 9, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners say they are targets for picket line violence." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (June 22, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners take protest to Wall Street." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (June 29, 2021) "Equipment damaged at Alabama coal mine where workers are striking, $10,000 reward offered." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (July 26, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners taking protest back to New York." The Birmingham News
- "2021 Warrior Met Coal strike (July 14, 2021) Wikipedia - accessed July 27, 2021
- Thornton, William (August 4, 2021) "Striking Alabama coal miners draw strength from thousands at rally: ‘We’re not asking for much’." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (August 5, 2021) "Miners strike cost Warrior Met Coal $7 million in second quarter, company says." The Birmingham News
- Thornton, William (September 17, 2021) "Alabama troopers escort workers past striking coal miners ‘like they’re working for the company,’ union says." The Birmingham News