MWA to protest in St Louis over Patriot

MWA to protest in St Louis over Patriot:

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note:  some usw folks will be there too.  Kiener plaza at 9 AM, downtown
tuesday

snip

 The United Mine Workers of America is bussing active and retired miners from across the eastern United States to St Louis on January 29 to protest what it alleges were an attempt to shun obligations to miners and retirees.

The UMWA claims that Patriot Coal was spun from Peabody Energy and Arch Coal and allowed to wither into bankruptcy taking retiree and other miner obligations with it. Patriot, Peabody and Arch have contested those claims, saying market conditions had more to do with Patriot's failure.

Though the company is attempting to come out from under Chapter 11 reorganization, it could potentially use the bankruptcy process to eliminate employee obligations. The UMWA has vehemently fought against this since the bankruptcy was announced.

During the January 29 protest, the group will march to the federal building in St Louis and outside of Peabody Energy's headquarters.