It is reported that Alpha Natural Resources has just signed labor agreements with the United Mine Workers of America that covers five Central Appalachia coal preparation plants that were previously owned and operated by Massey Energy.

In June 2011, Alpha bought Massey for USD 7.1 billion.

The UMWA announced the collective bargaining agreements would cover employees at the five plants, which had been working under the provisions of an old contract that expired 13 years ago.

International UMWA President Mr Cecil E Roberts said that "This is a very good day for these workers and their families. They will get a substantial initial raise, the first they've had since 1998. They will get annual wage increases for the life of the agreement."

The new 5 and a half year labor agreement between Alpha and the UMWA will take effect on January 1st 2012 and will last until June 30th 2017.

Mr Roberts said that "Employees also will get a USD 1,000 bonus. They will get shift differentials, a clothing allowance, sickness and accident benefits and the best quality health care benefits."

Mr Roberts praised the preparation plant workers for persevering so long and sticking with the UMWA in the face of constant attacks by the previous ownership. He added that "Massey simply refused to take any steps to reach a fair agreement as long as these workers stayed in the UMWA. But the workers stayed united and it ultimately paid off for them."

For more than 30 years, AT Massey Coal and its successor, Massey Energy, worked to weaken the UMWA and eliminate labor contracts at its mining facilities.

Mr Roberts praised Alpha for the fresh approach the company is taking with respect to recognizing the value of these employees. He added that "The UMWA is working to build a good relationship with Alpha at these and other operations where we represent the workers. We appreciate the company's willingness to recognize and address the long-standing inequities the workers at these preparation plants were dealing with."

The new labor agreement will cover 145 workers at
Bandmill preparation plant in Logan County
Goals preparation plant in Raleigh County
Chesterfield preparation plant operated by Omar Coal Co
Power Mountain preparation plant in Nicholas County
Long Fork preparation plant in Pike County

(Sourced from www.wvgazette.com)