America is slowly moving away from dirty coal. This is great news for our health - but those of us who fight for the climate also need to take care of the hard-working coal miners whose jobs are at risk. Even on this front, Big Coal is blinded by its greed.
Alpha Natural Resources is going bankrupt, and one of its top targets is its own employees. According to the Casper Star Tribune, "Alpha Natural Resources is seeking to cut medical and life insurance benefits to nonunionized retirees by New Year's Eve... in a move that could affect some 4,580 former miners and their spouses." Happy holidays indeed.
Alpha is asking a judge to let it abandon its promises to these families so it can save $3 million a year. Is that all that people are worth?
Alpha works in VA, Wv, KY, PA, and WY, so this is will have an impact on dozens of communities. Retirees have almost no way to make up these losses, and it could affect Alpha's remaining 6,000 employees, as well.
Even Alpha's founder and former CEO opposes the greedy, hurtful move. Michael J. Quillen told the court, "We made a pledge to our employees to provide a safe place to work and benefits that would extend beyond their years of employment. It’s imperative for the company to honor that pledge."
Raise your voice against greed, and stand in solidarity with these hard workers - tell Alpha Natural Resources to keep its promises to the blue-collar miners who made its executives rich!
