One big union, one big strike

Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), has suggested union workers could walk off the job in 2002 if coal companies are stingy in negotiating a new labor contract. The current five-year labor agreement runs out at the end of next year. Many coal companies are enjoying resurgent stock prices and healthy profits, and the union will consider a strike if its members are left out in the cold, Roberts indicated. Union spokesman Doug Gibson noted, that the UMWA had done a lot to help the industry advance its agenda and now that profits are up, they?d like to see coal miners share more in the benefits. The UMWA and coal companies have had informal discussions but have not set a date to begin serious negotiations, Gibson added.

platts.com