The United Mine Workers union revealed Friday that its negotiators have reached another tentative agreement on a new contract with the nation's largest remaining unionized coal producers.
Word from the UMW about the proposed contract came in a short press release that announced dates for meetings next week at which union officials will explain the terms of the proposal to rank-and-file miners, prior to a ratification vote scheduled for Aug. 12.
UMW officials declined to provide details about the proposal and Murry Energy - the main member company of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association - declined comment on Friday.
In June, UMW members rejected a previous proposal for a new contract with the BCOA. Union leaders and Murray Energy were hoping to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the expiration of their current deal at the end of the year.
Technically, the proposed contract is between the UMW and the BCOA, a group that once represented the bulk of the nation's coal industry, but today is made up mostly of the unionized operations in West Virginia that Murray Energy purchased from CONSOL Energy in late 2013.
Murray has said that contract would cover about 1,500 active UMW employees at its mines in Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia and Ohio counties, as well about 200 workers at its Ohio Valley Coal Co. and Ohio Valley Transloading operations.
Murray Energy CEO Bob Murray had also warned that he might consider bankruptcy protection if he didn't get concessions from the UMW, according to stories in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Here is the schedule for contract explanation meetings on the new UMW proposal:
n Tuesday, Aug. 9: Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va. at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for members of UMWA Local Unions 1110, 1473, 1604, 1638, 1857 and 1886.
n Wednesday, Aug. 10: Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, W.Va. at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for members of Local Unions 1197, 1248, 1412, 1501, 1545, 1643, 1702, 1980, 2322, 6025 and 9909.
n Thursday, Aug. 11: Centerville Senior Center in Centerville, Ohio at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for members of Local Unions 1810 and 5497.
The meetings are only for active and retired dues-paying members of the UMWA and their spouses. Details of the proposed agreement will be released after the ratification vote on Aug. 12, the UMW said.
Reach Ken Ward Jr. at kward@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1702 or follow @kenwardjr on Twitter.