Political Quotes

“The language states that anyone who would have received retiree healthcare coverage from one of these three companies, but for the orders entered in their bankruptcy proceedings terminating the employer's obligations to provide these benefits, becomes a participant in the UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan. I understand that the language encompasses anyone who would have received such coverage from the bankrupt employers and not just those who meet the 1993 plan's general eligibility requirements. This includes miners or widows who might have been specifically bargained into the plan, such as the miners who worked at the ill-fated Upper Big Branch Mine. We all know the drastic situation of those great miners. Also included are miners who do not meet the 1993 plan's general eligibility requirements because their employers rejected their collectively bargained obligations and withdrew from the UMWA 1974 Pension Plan but who would have become eligible if their service for the bankrupt employer or its successor were included in determining their eligibility.”