https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7615909/Kentucky-miners-blocked-1million-coal-train-losing-job-pay-5-1million-deal.html
[images in online article]
Hundreds of Kentucky miners who have blocked a $1million coal train for
TWO MONTHS after being sacked without pay finally win their battle with
mine owner and are handed $5.1million deal
Former Blackjewel coal miners end months of protests and a layoff
with a $5milllon deal for back pay after company's sudden bankruptcy
Blackjewel's bankruptcy came without the mandatory 60-day advance
warning
Before the settlement, miners camped out for two months, blocking a
train with a $1million worth of coal from getting to its destination
While the miners receive owed salary, vacation pay, retirement and
health savings account contributions were not covered in the settlement
Senator Bernie Sanders reportedly delivered 18 pizzas to the
protesting miners
By Jerry Barmash For Dailymail.com
Published: 01:47 EDT, 26 October 2019 | Updated: 18:53 EDT, 26 October 2019
Former Blackjewel coal miners, several who blocked a coal train from
moving for several months, were finally paid Friday, after a layoff and
a lengthy protest.
Around 1,700 coal miners earned their back pay after a settlement for
$5.1 million was reached with Blackjewel Sales and Marketing, according
to attorney Joe Childers.
Among those being paid will be 658 of Kentucky's Blackjewel miners from
the Black Mountain and Lone Mountain mines in Kentucky, Gov. Matt Bevins
said in a statement.
Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy July 1, without filing the mandatory
60-day advance warning and without posting a bond - which is a
requirement by Kentucky law - to cover payroll.
As a result the miners' final paychecks bounced, leaving many out of
pocket.
That led to the workers blocking the train, frustrated when they were
told they wouldn't get paid for their services leading up to the
Blackjewel bankruptcy, CNN reported.
The protests stopped last month.
The New York Times reported lawyers representing the miners in
bankruptcy proceedings estimated the employees were each owed about $4,200.
About a month after the company went under, a final load of coal with an
estimated worth in excess of $1 million was due to be shipped out.
The miners found their bargaining chip.
The blockade of the valuable shipment began on the afternoon of July 29,
with a handful of miners and their families, camped on the tracks near
the Cloverlick No. 3 mine.
For two months during the summer, the once-small blockade grew into a
small tent city with a 'No Pay We Stay.'
The miners and their supporters at the railway camp refused to allow the
shipment's passage until they received the wages due.
People sat in chairs, forming a human chain across the tracks and
holding signs that say: 'No pay, we stay'.
Although the paychecks have been paid out, their benefits have not.
Vacation pay, retirement and health savings account contributions were
not covered in the settlement, and mediation begins in early November to
resolve these issues.
But former Kentucky mine employee Brandon Pearson told CNN the miners
are 'relieved' and the money 'came right on time with Christmas
approaching.'
The miners even got thrown into the presidential race when Democratic
candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, reportedly sent 18 pizzas to them last
Friday. Other politicians have also voiced their support as well as
local churches, restaurants and businesses.
Demand for coal has dropped off in the U.S., with the number of active
mines decreased by more than half, from 1,435 mines in 2008 to 671 mines
in 2017, according to the U.S Energy Information Administration and US
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
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