UMW miners

Many UMW miners worked for decades for Peabody, but had their union contracts shifted to Patriot in recent years.

They lost in bankruptcy court, but thousands of union miners were back in town — holding a boisterous rally outside of Peabody Energy headquarters.

“We know how bankruptcy works,” said UMWA President Cecil Roberts, “Bankruptcy courts, and judges and those beautiful buildings that we paid for is a farce.”

The crowd of miners who rode buses in from other states applauded loudly from the steps of Keiner Plaza.

The union is planning to appeal the bankruptcy court ruling that gives Patriot Coal permission to set aside its union contracts dealing with health care and retirement promises for thousands of miners. Many claim they worked all their career for Peabody, but had their union contracts shifted to Patriot in recent years.

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