22 Apr BCTGM Rallies with Striking Alabama Coal Workers
More than 800 coal miners in Alabama have been on strike against Warrior Met Coal for more than one year fighting for better pay and benefits after making concessions to help the company survive.
It is believed to be the longest strike in Alabama history. The strike, the first for the Alabama Mine Workers in four decades, began on April 1, 2021.
On April 6, to mark the one-year anniversary of the strike, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) held a rally at Tannehill State Park in McCalla, Ala. BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton and International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods were among the crowd of more than 1,000 union members and supporters from throughout the country.
President Shelton was asked to address the crowd by UMWA President Cecil Roberts.
โOn behalf of the BCTGM International Union, I am honored to stand in solidarity with Warrior Met Coal Workers in your long fight for justice,โ President Shelton told the crowd. โWe will stand with you until the end when you will win! Stay one day longer, one day stronger!โ President Shelton proclaimed.
Other AFL-CIO affiliated unions participated included the UAW, UNITE HERE!, UFCW and AFA.