HELP MINERS FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY EARNED
On August 31, 2004 U.S Bankruptcy Judge William Howard finalized a decision allowing Horizon Natural Resources to file bankruptcy, thus voiding union contracts providing health care to 3,000 employees, including 2,300 retirees -- many of which suffer from black lung for their years of service at Horizon.
Those affected by Judge Howard's decision need your support.
Those especially devastated by the judge's ruling are the 2,300 retirees. Most are unable to return to the workforce because of age, sickness (black lung, mining related injuries, etc.) or cannot afford to find alternative medical coverage or unable to qualify for government-assisted medical plans.
Many of Horizon's workers gave 30 to 50 years of their lives providing coal, the very resource that runs electric plants and provides light for us all and helped to build this country's industries and win World Wars. Their years of hard work were costly ones.
As these men worked they paid in to their medical plans that were promised under the contract now voided by Judge Howard. With one stroke of a pen Howard took away everything they had earned. They are just asking for what is rightfully theirs.
Citizens need to take action to show support for these employees and retirees by asking elected officials to REFORM FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY LAWS and provide funding for the United Mine Workers of America's Orphan Miners Funds.
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