Description: The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) is a U.S.-based labor union that represents coal miners and other energy and underground workers. The organization’s mission is to organize workers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, improve mine safety and health, secure wages and benefits, protect pensions and retiree health care, and advocate for economic and community development in mining regions. Type: Labor union (national trade union / non-profit membership organization) Policies: Collective bargaining and labor rights, mine safety and enforcement (MSHA-related reforms), occupational health (including black lung and respiratory disease benefits), pensions and retiree health care protection, job preservation and economic development in coal communities, energy and trade policies that consider workers and regional employment, workers’ compensation and unemployment supports. Funding: Primarily funded by member dues, membership assessments and fees; additional income from investment of union assets and occasional grants or contributions. Affiliates: Federation of Labor organizations such as the AFL-CIO, UMWA district and local lodges, state and local labor councils; historically prominent labor leaders associated with the union include John L. Lewis and Mother Jones, with long-serving recent leadership at the national level.
