The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) says a final rule by the Labor Department will help miners who have contracted black lung.
The new rule issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires coal companies to cover the disability benefits of miners who have black lung as a result of working in mines.
“The burden of dealing with this always-fatal disease has for too long fallen on its victims. It’s time to put the burden where it belongs – on the coal companies that ignored laws and regulations that are in place to keep mine workers safe and healthy,” said UMWA President Cecil Roberts in an emailed press release.
UMWA says that coal companies were using the bankruptcy process to be relieved of their obligation to pay the disability benefits.
The union says $1 billion in disability benefits for those diagnosed with Black Lung were shifted to an already faltering trust fund that is backed by taxpayer dollars. This rule shifts it back to coal companies.
“This is a long-overdue rule that will have a significant impact in helping to ensure benefits to miners who have contracted black lung will be paid, and be paid by those responsible – the coal companies,” Roberts said in the press release.
The companies will now be required to post adequate security bonds for their black lung obligations.
The rule will become effective 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.