HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 11

(By Delegate McGraw)




Urging Peabody Holding Company to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a new contract in good faith with the United Mine Workers of America.

 Whereas , Peabody Holding Company has refused to answer the informational requests given by the United Mine Workers of America; and
 Whereas , Peabody Holding Company has refused to come to the bargaining table to negotiate a contract with the United Mine Workers of America; and
 Whereas , Peabody Holding Company by their refusal to come to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith has caused a strike to be called by the United Mine Workers of America; and
 Whereas , Due to the necessity of a strike over seven thousand five hundred employees of Peabody Holding Company and their subsidiaries are currently off work and have been since February 1, 1993; and
 Whereas , Thousands more employees of Peabody subsidiaries have been laid off due to this strike; and
 Whereas , Thousands more employees that are currently working are in imminent danger of becoming unemployed through either a strike or a layoff; and
 Whereas , The hardship created by the loss of work does severe emotional and financial damage to the employees of their family members as well as to the business community and indeed community welfare as a whole all across the State of West Virginia; and
 Whereas , Many of the employees of Peabody and its subsidiaries are proud West Virginians who have exhibited the true Mountaineer spirit of solidarity, pride, loyalty and dedicated hard work; therefore, be it
 Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates supports the efforts of the United Mine Workers of America and strongly urges Peabody Holding Company to go to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith with the United Mine Workers of America; and, be it
 Further Resolved , That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of Peabody Holding Company, the President of Peabody Coal Company, the President of Eastern Associated Coal Company, Richard Trumka, President of the United Mine Workers of America and the President of the United States of America, members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, the Governor, the members of the West Virginia Board of Public Works, and the West Virginia State Senate.