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2004 Convention Resolutions

Resolution No. 58

U. S. GOVERNMENT PROMISE OF LIFETIME HEALTH BENEFITS FOR MINERS

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is a coal producing and coal consuming state that has benefited tremendously from the hard, dangerous work of retired coal miners; and

The United States Government entered into a contract with coal miners in 1946 that created The United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds; and

This contract was signed in The White House in a ceremony with President Harry Truman; and

A Federal Commission established by Secretary of Labor, Elizabeth Dole, concluded in 1990:

“Retired coal miners have legitimate expectations of healt care benefits for life; that was the promise they received during their working lives and that is how they planned their retirementyears.  That commitment should be honored.”; and

WHEREAS, This promise became law in 1992 when the Congress of the United States passed, and President George Bush signed, the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act (The Coal Act); and

WHEREAS, The Coal Act reiterated the promise of lifetime health benefits for retired coal miners and their dependents; and

WHEREAS, Congress intended The Coal Act to:

            “(1) remedy problems with the provision and funding health care benefits with respect to the beneficiaries of multiemployer benefit plans that provide health care benefits to retirees in the coal industry; (2) allow for sufficient operating assets for such plans; and (3) provide for the continuation of a privately financed self-sufficient program for the delivery of health care benefits to the beneficiaries of such plans"; and

Certain court decisions have eroded the financial structure Congress put in place under The Coal Act; and

            These court decisions have placed the continued provision of health benefits to retired coal miners in jeopardy; and

            U. S. Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia has introduced HR #313, The Coal Accountability and Retired Employee Act for the 21st Century (CARE 21); and

            If enacted CARE 21 will adequately fund health benefits for the long term.

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and its affiliates, urge Pennsylvania members of Congress and the U. S. Senate to fully support CARE 21, to keep the promise made of lifetime health care benefits for retired miners and their families.

Submitted by:

                        UMWA DISTRICT #2 EXECUTIVE BOARD

Referred to:               Health and Safety Committee

Committee Action:           

Convention Action:           

       

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