History of the UMWA - click here
Who We Are and Where We Work
History of the UMWA
Formed in 1890 and known as the "shock troops of the labor movement," the UMWA led the fight to gain American workers the 8 hour day, pensions, health care programs, and paid holidays.
The United Mine Workers were also the leaders in the struggle to gain the Social Security Act, Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, and workplace health and safety laws.
Believing in the notion that every person who works for a wage deserves representation, UMWA members, under the leadership of John L. Lewis, assessed themselves to fund the massive organizing
campaigns of the 1930's that formed the Steelworkers, Autoworkers and Rubber, Glass and Textile Workers Unions.
The aggressive UMWA organizing policy of helping all workers of all industries to organize enabled Lewis to form the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and is carried on to this very day under
the leadership of UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts.
A rank-and-file Union that prides itself on being one of the most democratic unions in the world, all UMWA leaders are elected directly from the membership by the membership.
The aims and direction of our Union are set by the membership at Constitutional Conventions.
The UMWA is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, and in Canada our Union is affiliated with the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC).
________________________________________________________________________
A Diversified Union
The UMWA is proud to represent workers in industries such as: mining, fabricating, chemical, retail stores, quarries, bus drivers, supermarkets, utilities, construction, health care, hospitals, nursing
homes, office, clerical, technical and professional, public employees, and many others.
The UMWA represents workers in both Canada and the USA. Most of our coal contracts contain pension, life insurance, hospital and medical insurance, vacation pay, holiday pay, job description and
classification, safety and health provisions, seniority, grievance and arbitration procedures, job bidding, overtime after 8 hours (time and one half, double time and triple time) and most importantly -
retiree health care.
The UMWA is governed by the UMWA Constitution. Delegates to the Convention are elected from local unions. Resolutions to change of the Constitution are submitted by local unions and voted on
by delegates. Union dues are determined by vote of delegates. The Officers and Executive Board of the International Union are elected every five years by the members and Local Unions elect their
officers every three years.
________________________________________________________________________
Services of the UMWA
Here are some of the services provided to the members of the United Mine Workers of America:
Field Staff
The UMWA prides itself in having the very best staff in the field of any international union. The staff representatives are the backbone of the organization, providing help and assistance to the local
unions. UMWA staff representatives are International Union representatives. Each local has a staff representative assigned to it to help negotiate that first important contract and all subsequent
contracts, and then make sure management interprets the contract correctly. In addition, there are numerous departments at the International Headquarters that specialize in assisting the field staff
and local unions.
Legislative Department
Primary Function: To present membership views to members of Congress, state legislatures, and federal and provincial parliaments. To inform members of proposed legislation affecting their
interests. (Example: The Union will present its experts to appear and testify before congressional committees on legislation of vital interest to working people, such as that dealing with the Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which are the Government agencies responsible for safety and health in the workplace;
ERISA, which provides for pension plan protection; and the National Labor Relations Board. The Legislative Department will also provide advice & assistance to members, such as: how they can help
fight such issues such as the attempt to tax pension and insurance benefits of working people.
Research Department
Primary Function: Provide research on corporate financial data. (Example: Prior to negotiating with an employer for wages and benefits, the Research Department will inform the staff of the true
profitability of the employer.) In addition, the Research Department provides information on industrial and corporate trends, import and export of goods and technology affecting our members,
corporate financial data, etc.
Contract Department
Primary Function: To analyze and store on computer all pertinent information contained in UMWA contracts. To provide information concerning the content of these contracts in readily usable form to
staff and local union representatives and provide a comparison of wages and benefits with competitors. (Example: In negotiations, it may be helpful for a local union committee to know how another
nearby facility handles the matter of overtime distribution or an overtime meal allowance.) Provide training for local union mine committee.
Legal Department
Primary Function: To handle all legal affairs involving the Union. To assure that staff and local unions in each district have necessary legal assistance.
Safety and Health Department
Primary Function: To assist the staff in negotiating and enforcing safety and health provisions in our contracts, so that our members can enjoy a safe and healthful workplace. To assist local unions in
identifying safety hazards, unsafe and/or unhealthy work conditions. Conduct educational programs to increase members' awareness of safety and health problems. All UMWA local unions are
required to maintain a Safety and Health Committee.
Communications Department
Primary Function: To communicate to both the membership and the public the goals and objectives of the Union. (Example: The UMWA Journal is mailed to all active and retired members.) The
Department coordinates a state-of-the-art Media Center with electronic communication capabilities, including a videotape editing room, and conducts ongoing liaison with print, broadcast and television
media to articulate the position of the Union.
Who We Are and Where We Work
- Underground Coal Mining - click here
- Surface Coal Mining - click here
- UMWA in your Community - click here
- UMWA Leadership - click here
History of the UMWA
Formed in 1890 and known as the "shock troops of the labor movement," the UMWA led the fight to gain American workers the 8 hour day, pensions, health care programs, and paid holidays.
The United Mine Workers were also the leaders in the struggle to gain the Social Security Act, Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, and workplace health and safety laws.
Believing in the notion that every person who works for a wage deserves representation, UMWA members, under the leadership of John L. Lewis, assessed themselves to fund the massive organizing
campaigns of the 1930's that formed the Steelworkers, Autoworkers and Rubber, Glass and Textile Workers Unions.
The aggressive UMWA organizing policy of helping all workers of all industries to organize enabled Lewis to form the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and is carried on to this very day under
the leadership of UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts.
A rank-and-file Union that prides itself on being one of the most democratic unions in the world, all UMWA leaders are elected directly from the membership by the membership.
The aims and direction of our Union are set by the membership at Constitutional Conventions.
The UMWA is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, and in Canada our Union is affiliated with the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC).
________________________________________________________________________
A Diversified Union
The UMWA is proud to represent workers in industries such as: mining, fabricating, chemical, retail stores, quarries, bus drivers, supermarkets, utilities, construction, health care, hospitals, nursing
homes, office, clerical, technical and professional, public employees, and many others.
The UMWA represents workers in both Canada and the USA. Most of our coal contracts contain pension, life insurance, hospital and medical insurance, vacation pay, holiday pay, job description and
classification, safety and health provisions, seniority, grievance and arbitration procedures, job bidding, overtime after 8 hours (time and one half, double time and triple time) and most importantly -
retiree health care.
The UMWA is governed by the UMWA Constitution. Delegates to the Convention are elected from local unions. Resolutions to change of the Constitution are submitted by local unions and voted on
by delegates. Union dues are determined by vote of delegates. The Officers and Executive Board of the International Union are elected every five years by the members and Local Unions elect their
officers every three years.
________________________________________________________________________
Services of the UMWA
Here are some of the services provided to the members of the United Mine Workers of America:
Field Staff
The UMWA prides itself in having the very best staff in the field of any international union. The staff representatives are the backbone of the organization, providing help and assistance to the local
unions. UMWA staff representatives are International Union representatives. Each local has a staff representative assigned to it to help negotiate that first important contract and all subsequent
contracts, and then make sure management interprets the contract correctly. In addition, there are numerous departments at the International Headquarters that specialize in assisting the field staff
and local unions.
Legislative Department
Primary Function: To present membership views to members of Congress, state legislatures, and federal and provincial parliaments. To inform members of proposed legislation affecting their
interests. (Example: The Union will present its experts to appear and testify before congressional committees on legislation of vital interest to working people, such as that dealing with the Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which are the Government agencies responsible for safety and health in the workplace;
ERISA, which provides for pension plan protection; and the National Labor Relations Board. The Legislative Department will also provide advice & assistance to members, such as: how they can help
fight such issues such as the attempt to tax pension and insurance benefits of working people.
Research Department
Primary Function: Provide research on corporate financial data. (Example: Prior to negotiating with an employer for wages and benefits, the Research Department will inform the staff of the true
profitability of the employer.) In addition, the Research Department provides information on industrial and corporate trends, import and export of goods and technology affecting our members,
corporate financial data, etc.
Contract Department
Primary Function: To analyze and store on computer all pertinent information contained in UMWA contracts. To provide information concerning the content of these contracts in readily usable form to
staff and local union representatives and provide a comparison of wages and benefits with competitors. (Example: In negotiations, it may be helpful for a local union committee to know how another
nearby facility handles the matter of overtime distribution or an overtime meal allowance.) Provide training for local union mine committee.
Legal Department
Primary Function: To handle all legal affairs involving the Union. To assure that staff and local unions in each district have necessary legal assistance.
Safety and Health Department
Primary Function: To assist the staff in negotiating and enforcing safety and health provisions in our contracts, so that our members can enjoy a safe and healthful workplace. To assist local unions in
identifying safety hazards, unsafe and/or unhealthy work conditions. Conduct educational programs to increase members' awareness of safety and health problems. All UMWA local unions are
required to maintain a Safety and Health Committee.
Communications Department
Primary Function: To communicate to both the membership and the public the goals and objectives of the Union. (Example: The UMWA Journal is mailed to all active and retired members.) The
Department coordinates a state-of-the-art Media Center with electronic communication capabilities, including a videotape editing room, and conducts ongoing liaison with print, broadcast and television
media to articulate the position of the Union.
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| Copyright © 2008 United Mine Workers of America |
United We Bargain:
Get Involved & Know Your Rights
Get Involved & Know Your Rights