Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. (FCL) said its affiliates, Cumberland Coal Resources, LP and Emerald Coal Resources, LP have signed separate labor agreements with the United Mine Workers of America or UMWA, which represents nearly 1,000 hourly employees at the Cumberland and Emerald mines in southwestern Pennsylvania. These agreements run through December 31, 2011. A third affiliate, Wabash Mine Holding Company, also reached agreement with the UMWA on the effects of the closure of the Wabash Mine in southern Illinois. Severance and other benefits have been addressed for the approximately 230 hourly workers at Wabash.
Under the terms of the new contracts, Cumberland and Emerald hourly workers, who have been on strike since April 4, 2007, are expected to return to work immediately. Cumberland and Emerald managers and UMWA representatives will conduct thorough examinations to ensure safe working conditions before the production of coal resumes.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com