UMWA, Finn Weigh in on Major News that Bevin Failed to Enforce Law that Protects Miners

From the Beshear-Coleman campaign

The UMWA is weighing in on the major news report from the Lexington Herald-Leader that: "Not a single coal company formed in Kentucky within the past five years has posted a bond required by state law to protect miner’s wages if their employer suddenly shuts down... In addition, officials in Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration urged lawmakers last year to pass a bill that would have eliminated the requirement."

Steve Earle, Vice President of UMWA District 12: “Coal miners are facing unprecedented challenges. However, Governor Bevin and his administration made things worse by failing to enforce this vital protection for workers. It’s clear they’re not on the side of our members and their families.” Andy Beshear shared on social media: "The Bevin administration tried to gut the protections that could have paid the Blackjewel miners. They didn’t get their way, so they stopped enforcing the law. We uncovered today how that’s left nearly 1,000 workers at risk. Matt Bevin needs to answer for this total failure."

Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council President Bill Finn is also weighing in on the new report from the Lexington Herald-Leader, stating: 

“I was in the room in 2018 when Matt Bevin’s Labor Cabinet tried to eliminate the performance bond protections that could have protected the Blackjewel coal miners. They failed to eliminate the law then, but essentially decided to not enforce the law anyway. That’s a colossal failure for working men and women in Kentucky and I’m glad Attorney General Beshear worked to expose this wrongdoing.”