Miners Allege Vehicular Assault at Warrior Met Coal Picket Line in Brookwood, Alabama

Tensions are high along the picket lines at Brookwood, Alabama's Warrior Met Coal where members of the United Mine Workers of America remain on strike against unfair labor practices, and now UMWA representatives allege violent incidents have been perpetuated against miners by Warrior Met Coal employees.

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“Warrior Met personnel, either management or nonunion workers, have repeatedly struck our members who were engaging in legal picket line activities, with their vehicles,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said in a Monday press release. “We have members in casts, we have members in the hospital, we have members who are concerned about their families and potential of violence against them if they come to the picket line.

“We have been to court on multiple occasions regarding what we can and cannot do on the picket lines and our members respect the guidance of the court,” Roberts said. “Warrior Met seems to believe that it is all right to strike people with cars as they engage in legal, protected activity. This is a dangerous course of action that can swiftly lead to events spiraling out of control. That is the last thing anyone should want."

“I call on Warrior Met to back away from violence and finally come to the bargaining table in good faith, ready to hammer out a fair and reasonable agreement,” Roberts said. “But if Warrior Met decides to continue inspiring violence on the picket lines, their leadership should understand that UMWA members have been subjected to company violence for 131 years and will not be deterred from seeking a fair contract for them and their families. We are still here and we will remain here long after those leaders have gone.”

Miners at Warrior Met Coal have been on strike since early April after repeatedly enduring "unfair labor practices" that they allege include being forced to work all holidays and having pay deducted for lunch breaks.

Miners rejected a proposed Warrior Met contract change in April and currently remain on strike.