Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Hundreds of members of the Mine Workers (UMWA) and other unions came together for a huge rally Wednesday in New York City. More than 1,000 members of the UMWA in Alabama have been on strike since April, demanding their employer, Warrior Met Coal, give them a fair contract. Many of the striking coal miners traveled to New York to picket outside the office of BlackRock, one of Warrior Met Coal’s largest investors. UMWA President Cecil Roberts told CoalZoom.com, “We’re in New York City because we are simply following the money, and demanding that those who created that wealth, the miners, get their fair share of it.” Workers at Warrior Met Coal made significant concessions several years ago to help the company out of bankruptcy. Now that Warrior Met Coal is profitable again, UMWA members are demanding a fair contract.