Kentucky ARA members stand in solidarity with striking Alabama UMWA miners

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Members of the Kentucky Alliance for Retired American joined a contingent of Bluegrass State union members and supporters at Wednesday’s Alabama rally in support of striking United Mine Workers of America members at Warrior Met Coal.

"When Cecil Roberts, the president of the UMWA , calls for support, the Kentucky ARA members are ready to stand in solidarity for fair contracts and for retiree benefits,” said Kirk Gillenwaters, president of the group. “This the eighth trip over the years that retirees from Kentucky ARA have made to various places in support the UMWA in their fight for union rights and retiree benefits.”

Roberts was a featured speaker at the rally held at Tannehill State Park in McCalla, Ala.

“This was our second trip to Alabama to support the striking UMWA workers during their year-long strike,” said Gillenwaters, who is retired from UAW Local 862 in Louisville. “Retirees from the unions of the UAW, IUE-CWA. UFCW and Teamsters rode the bus from Louisville, Kentucky to McCalla.”

Said Kentucky ARA member Virginia Merrifield, an IUE-CWA retiree: “We must stand up with others to protect the right to have a good life in retirement by having the right to bargain collectively.”