Tag: Jay Rockefeller

Rockefeller Receives Award From Japan

Sen. Jay Rockefeller say's he's deeply honored to receive the prestigious Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government. The…

Sen. Jay Rockefeller say’s he’s deeply honored to receive the prestigious Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government.  The award recognizes Rockefeller’s work to strengthen the economic and cultural relationship between the two countries.

In a news release the senator says the people of Japan have shaped his life and the lives of thousands of West Virginians.

Rockefeller lived and studied in Japan for 3 years in the late 1950’s. He says the relationship he eventually built between West Virginia and Japan has led to the investment of billions of dollars and thousands of good paying jobs.

Rockefeller has led nearly a dozen trade missions to Japan,  hosted Japanese visitors to West Virginia, and has been instrumental in bringing more than 20 Japanese companies to the state,  including NGK Spark Plugs, Nissin, and Toyota.

His father, John D. Rockefeller III, also received the award in 1969.

W.Va. delegation weighs in on shutdown's effect on miners' safety

West Virginia’s congressional delegation is weighing in on the shutdown’s
effect on mine safety. Approximately 1,400 of MSHA’s 2,355 employees are
furloughed during the government shutdown. Three miners were killed
on three consecutive days this past weekend, including one from West
Virginia.

In his remarks Thursday from the House floor, Congressman Nick Rahall
urged his colleagues to “abandon this ridiculous political showdown that
is undercutting the safety in our mines, our industrial facilities, our
food chain, and so much more.”

“There is talk that the shutdown is causing no real pain.  The most extreme anti-government politicians even express the hope that such a cutback in government programs and services should be made permanent.  And too many others are content to hang back and let those with extreme views have their way for the time being. But I stand here today to remind my colleagues, and the public, that cuts in government funding and government programs have consequences –sometimes deadly. It is a lesson we learned in 2006 when annual coal mining deaths soared to 45, a 10-year high, reversing an 80-year trend of steadily falling fatalities – a trend attributed, in part, to years of underfunding the Mine Safety and Health Administration.”

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito introduced legislation Thursday to fund the Mine Safety and Health Administration through December 15, 2013.  The bill would fund MSHA at the same level that was in effect the day before the shutdown began.

“MSHA performs the critical role of making sure that West Virginia coal miners come home safely each day,” Capito said.  “This important legislation would allow MSHA to operate at full capacity, protecting our miners notwithstanding the government shutdown.”
 
In a news release issued Thursday, Capito says she voted for three Continuing Resolutions prior to September 30 that would have averted a government shutdown. 

Senator Jay Rockefeller also released a statement Wednesday on the matter:

"My heart goes out to the family of 62-year-old Roger R. King of Moundsville who was killed late last week at the McElroy Mine in Marshall County. Any time a miner perishes while working underground, we are reminded of the critical importance of keeping our miners safe on the job. While details are still forthcoming about this and other mining fatalities we’ve suffered in recent days, I cannot help but to express my deep frustration about the misguided government shutdown that has furloughed MSHA inspectors and prevented them from conducting the regular inspections that make sure coal companies are operating their mines as safely as possible. During this shutdown, I urge all coal operators to be vigilant about safety procedures in their mines that will prevent mining injuries and deaths. I also urge miners to report any behavior that you believe is putting you and your fellow miners in jeopardy. Even during a shutdown, MSHA has said it will continue to investigate complaints from miners about conditions that may pose serious safety problems.”

Four things you need to know about the UMWA-Peabody/Patriot deal

The United Mine Workers of America has reached a settlement with Peabody Energy and Patriot Coal that will help to cover health care benefits for retired miners.

Background:

  • Magnum Coal Company purchased certain Arch Coal operations in 2005
  • Patriot Coal purchased Magnum Coal Company in 2008
  • Patriot Coal was spun off from Peabody in 2007
  • Patriot Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on July 9, 2012
  • In May of this year, a ruling allowed Patriot to quit paying health care benefits for retirees and established a VEBA account with initial Patriot contribution of $15 million

Here are four things you need to know about the new deal:

  1. The agreement provides more than $400 million to provide health coverage for retirees affected by the bankruptcy of Patriot Coal.

    The money will go into the Voluntary Employee Benefit Association or VEBA account.

    Peabody will make payments totaling $310 million over the next four years, and proceeds will be  applied to future retiree health care benefits.

    Patriot has agreed to contribute $15 million to the VEBA in 2014, with up to an additional $60 million to be paid into the fund over the following three years.

  2. The union has agreed to give up its 35 percent stock as part of this new deal.

    UMWA was given 35 percent equity stake in Patriot in May as part of a ruling. The same ruling established the VEBA account.

  3. UMWA continues to look to Congress to assist in securing additional funds for health care benefits.

    Rep. David McKinley introduced a bill in the house that currently has 24 co-sponsors from both parties and a bill introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller currently has six co-sponsors.

  4. UMWA is still hoping to come to an agreement with Arch Coal, another company that formed Patriot. 

Patriot has reached a final deal with Arch Coal. According to a release, Patriot will receive $5 million in cash and a release of a $16 million letter of credit posted in Arch’s name as part of the deal.

In a release issued just after midnight Thursday morning, UMWA president Cecil E. Roberts said he was pleased.

“This is a significant amount of money that will help maintain health care for thousands of retirees who earned those benefits though years of labor in America’s coal mines,” Roberts said.

“This settlement will also help Patriot emerge from bankruptcy and continue to provide jobs for our members and~thousands of others in West Virginia and Kentucky.”

Patriot President and Chief Executive Officer Bennett K. Hatfield echoed the union’s satisfaction.

“I am pleased that we have been able to reach agreements that provide the UMWA with hundreds of million of dollars in retiree healthcare funding,” Hatifield said.

“The best result for the UMWA and its members is for Patriot to emerge from bankruptcy as a healthy company that will continue to provide jobs and benefits, and we are now on track to achieve that goal.”

This deal still needs approval by federal bankruptcy judge Kathy Surratt-States. The judge is expected to make that decision early next month.
 

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