More than 1,100 workers at Alabama’s Warrior Met Coal are preparing to go on strike tonight, April 1, at 11:30 p.m. (EDT). The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board relating to Warrior Met’s conduct during negotiations. UMWA’s contract with the company expired on April 1. The notice covers all of the company’s operations, including the No. 4 mine, the No. 5 preparation plant, the No. 7 mine and its Central Shop.
“Our members are the reason Warrior Met even exists today,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “They made the sacrifices to bring this company out of the bankruptcy of Walter Energy in 2016.”
Roberts said the company has demonstrated “some of the worst labor-management relations we’ve seen in this industry since the days of the company town and company store.”
Warrior Met Coal said it has been working in good faith to reach an agreement.
“Throughout negotiations, our sight has remained on the future — to provide our employees with a competitive package while protecting jobs and the longevity of the company and its workforce,” the company said.
It said it will continue to work with UMWA to find a package that their employees will appreciate while providing a stable future for the company.
“While we are disappointed that the UMWA has taken this extreme step to declare a strike while we continue to negotiate in good faith, we have continuity plans in place to continue meeting the demands of our key customers,” the company said.
