The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Union is celebrating a new rule issued by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) that requires Coal Companies to cover the disability benefits of Miners who’ve contracted Black Lung on the job.  The UMWA noted there’s been a troubling pattern of Coal Companies using bankruptcy processes to shirk their obligation to pay out Disability Benefits.  More than $1 billion in such liabilities have already been shifted to a faltering Trust Fund that is backed by taxpayer dollars, unfairly burdening the General Public when these benefits should be the responsibility of Coal Companies that did not adequately protect their Workers.  This new rule protects the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund from any future self-insured corporate bankruptcies by requiring those Coal Operators to post securities or other collateral equal to 100% of their liabilities.  “This balanced rule is an important step forward in resolving the Black Lung (Disability) Trust Fund’s deficit problems,” UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said. “More needs to be done, starting with Congressional passage of the Black Lung Benefits Improvements Act.  The burden of dealing with this always fatal disease has for too long fallen on its victims.  It’s time to put the burden where it belongs - on the Coal Companies that ignored laws and regulations that are in place to keep Mine Workers safe and healthy.”

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Advocates For Mine Workers Commend Black Lung Rule - West Virginia Public Broadcasting : West Virginia Public Broadcasting