The United Mine Workers is concerned about a coal company’s bankruptcy reorganization plan and its impact on its members.
The Charleston Gazette (http://bit.ly/PukyvY) reported Saturday the concern involves Patriot Coal Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday in New York as it deals with reduced demand for coal and rising costs.
In its bankruptcy filings, Patriot complained of “legacy costs” such as health-care benefits and pension payments.
UMW lawyers are seeking to have the reorganization case moved from New York to southern West Virginia, where they say such issues can be more properly handled.
Patriot operates large surface and underground mines in West Virginia.
UMW officials say Patriot has 2,000 active union members in West Virginia and Kentucky.
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Information from: The Charleston Gazette, http://www.wvgazette.com
