Business & Tech

Patriot, Mine Workers Reach Deal On Retirees

The Creve Coeur-based firm is in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings.

A few weeks after thousands of people gathered in Creve Coeur for a United Mine Workers of America protest aimed at Arch Coal and Patriot Coal over the handling of retiree benefits, news reports indicate the UMWA and Patriot have reached an agreement.

Patriot is in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings, and union members have accused the company of using the process to get out from underneath obligations to pay retirement benefits.

While The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said terms are not being released until after the union votes on the agreement this week, The Charleston Gazette reports that UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts said:

“We have been able to restore, or at least improve upon, many of the most drastic changes that the Judge ordered, including in the area of wages, health care benefits, paid time off, pensions, and more. In addition, we have negotiated a mechanism that will allow retiree health care benefits to continue.”

Patriot Coal issued a statement Monday:

"This represents the successful conclusion of a difficult negotiation in which both the UMWA leadership and Patriot management have invested many long days.  Both parties want to preserve jobs and protect healthcare benefits for retirees by keeping Patriot on track for reorganization – and not liquidation," said Patriot President and Chief Executive Officer Bennett K. Hatfield.  "We appreciate the cooperation of the UMWA leadership and the sacrifices of all of our employees and retirees as we work to restore Patriot to viability."



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