Tri-State Miners Headed to St. Louis For Rally
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: February 13, 2013
Members of the United Mine Workers of America are banding together in what they say is a fight for their livelihood.
Many worked decades with Peabody Coal, which then created Patriot Coal. Eventually, Patriot went into bankruptcy and many miners and widows say they aren't getting their necessary benefits.
On Wednesday, dozens of those miners left Henderson for a Rally in St. Louis, where Patriot Coal has a bankruptcy hearing.
Some miners claim Peabody Coal simply created Patriot coal several years ago, then "drove it into bankruptcy" to avoid paying long term retirement benefits.
Patriot has several mines in the Tri-State, including Union and Henderson Counties. Some former employees say they must salvage health care benefits for retirees and widows from the mining company.
The bankruptcy affects more than 10,000 retirees and 10,000 dependents. Patriot calls its pension and health care programs "unsustainable legacies".
We will have more on this story throughout the day on Eyewitness News.
Many worked decades with Peabody Coal, which then created Patriot Coal. Eventually, Patriot went into bankruptcy and many miners and widows say they aren't getting their necessary benefits.
On Wednesday, dozens of those miners left Henderson for a Rally in St. Louis, where Patriot Coal has a bankruptcy hearing.
Some miners claim Peabody Coal simply created Patriot coal several years ago, then "drove it into bankruptcy" to avoid paying long term retirement benefits.
Patriot has several mines in the Tri-State, including Union and Henderson Counties. Some former employees say they must salvage health care benefits for retirees and widows from the mining company.
The bankruptcy affects more than 10,000 retirees and 10,000 dependents. Patriot calls its pension and health care programs "unsustainable legacies".
We will have more on this story throughout the day on Eyewitness News.
