Coal Miners Union to Joe Manchin: Stop Sucking

Outside Congressional Republicans and dirty energy CEOs , basically everyone ismad at Sen. Joe Manchinfor announce he was a“no ” on the Build Back Better Act . That includes coal miners .

The United Mine Workers of America on Monday good afternoon politely but firmly told the West Virginia senator to reconsider his position on the legislating that would remold the American push landscape . That miner are out here asking for the Build Back Better Act to get a clean shake read a lot about the benefits it contains — and it talk even louder about who , exactly , Manchin was sample to protect when he said this version of the nib was dead .

“ We pep up Senator Manchin to revisit his opposition to this lawmaking and work with his colleagues to pass something that will avail keep ember miner working , and have a meaningful impact on our member , their kinfolk , and their community of interests , ” UMWA President Cecil Roberts said in astatement .

Miners Protection Act sponsor Sen. Joe Manchin addresses thousands of members of the United Mine Workers of America as they gather for a rally on the National Mall in September 2016.

Miners Protection Act sponsor Sen. Joe Manchin addresses thousands of members of the United Mine Workers of America as they gather for a rally on the National Mall in September 2016.Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images)

Among the parts of the Build Back Better Act that Roberts spotlight were welfare for mineworker suffering from shameful lung . There ’s presently a Union fund that provides those benefit , pay for by a fee on ember companies . The disease isprevalent for 1000 of minersacross Appalachia , a side effect of inhaling coal dust on the job . Anincreasing number of minersare dying from it , indicate to the urgent need for benefits to aid them deal with the respiratory publication before it becomes fatal .

Yet with Manchin ’s “ no ” on the bit , the fees coal company have paid into the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are set to end this twelvemonth . The human activity would’veextended them in 2025 . Federal data shows the fund doled outnearly $ 41 millionto black lung sufferers in West Virginia in 2020 , well-nigh a quarter of all finances disseminate in the U.S.

Roberts also noted the visor had provisions to “ provide tax incentives to encourage manufacturers to construct facilities in the coalfield that would use thousands of coal miners who have lost their jobs . We patronize that and are ready to help furnish those plants with a trail , professional workforce . ” And it also include linguistic communication that would ticket employers for union - busting , which UMWA also endorse . ( Givenmining wedlock ’ long , bally historyat the hands of owner andpresent fights , that makes a wad of sense . )

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One of Manchin ’s basal arguments against the act was that he did n’t know how to pitch it at family . But UMWA ’s statement is tailormade to a state that has relied heavily on the coal industry for its economy and identity . ( There are other benefits Manchin could ’ve well pick out , like give way people with kidsmoney to , uh , buy food for thought , but I sidetrack . )

Instead , Manchin appears to have sided with the boss for now ; he ’s atop political campaign recipientof money from the coal , minelaying , oil and throttle extraction , and gas transmittal and dispersion industries and come in third withutilities . The owner in those industries haveopposed Build Back Betterbecause it would curtail their profits . But the new UMWA financial statement shows that workers , at least , are ready to be at the board of the vigour transition .

Roberts ’ statement spread by praising Manchin for the senator ’s past support and noted their “ farseeing and friendly human relationship . ” We also cognize Manchin has beencozy with Exxonand other polluters . Now , it seems like the senator needs to decide who he require to sit with .

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