Union rallies outside Patriot Coal over pension benefits

Union president Cecil Roberts says the move would “wipe out generations of progress”. We’ll stand in front of your coal mines.

This time, however, Patriot’s headquarters in Scott Depot were empty.

“This agreement is a landmark achievement for VCLF, allowing us to increase Appalachian employment through the reclamation and reforestation of thousands of acres of land”, said Clarke in a statement.

“I regret to inform you that nobody’s home”, Roberts told the crowd before sending them back to the nearby parking lot.

Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 12. Patriot wrote that it would otherwise run out of cash and have to liquidate.

Lexington, Kentucky-based Blackhawk announced in June that it entered a definitive agreement to purchase Patriot’s Panther, Rocklick Wells, Kanawha Eagle, Paint Creek and Midland Trail complexes in southern West Virginia. Roberts reminded members Monday they still had their jobs and benefits.

“We expect the federal government to uphold their promise”, said retired miner Rick Glover. “That we deserve health care, we were promised it from the federal government and the coal company”.

Patriot is hardly the only coal producer flailing in central Appalachia.

The Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund has 30,000 acres and, according to materials, works with the coal industry on land reclamation and offers environmental management with 459 coal mining and water quality permits.

The UMWA and Patriot went to battle three years ago under a previous bankruptcy filing.

MWA leaders said there will be more protests down the road once a court date for the company is set.