Miners rally for bill to protect health, pension benefits
WASHINGTON — Thousands of unionized mine workers and supporters rallied at the Capitol Thursday to push for a bill that would protect health-care and pension benefits for about 120,000 former coal miners and their families.
“We’re here today to demand that the right thing be done!” thundered Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, which organized the rally. “Keep the promise and pass the bill.”
Defying scorching 90-degree temperatures, Roberts and other speakers urged Congress to approve a measure they said would save lives and honour a 70-year-old promise made by the federal government. Marchers came from as far as Colorado and Nevada to demonstrate support for the bill, known as the Coal Miners Protection Act.
Separately, Democrat Hillary Clinton announced her support for the measure, which would affect retired miners and their families in all 50 states, especially West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Alabama.