Saturday, January 23, 2010
Union Praises Black Lung Proposal
WEST VIRGINIA....
Currently, in order to receive black lung benefits, miners must prove black lung significantly contributed to their disability, or widows have to reapply and prove the miner had black lung that significantly contributed to or hastened death. Under a proposal offered by Senator Robert, amendments would allow workers with 15 or more years in the mines to be presumed to have black lung and make it easier for widows to receive benefits. The changes would be effective retroactive to 2005. West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts says Byrd's legislation could cost almost $1 billion, while calling it a job killer. The United Mine Workers of America Union calls the changes a "noble attempt to right decades of wrongs." In response to Steve Roberts' comment, UMWA President Cecil Roberts shot back with "What a crock." He says, "Black lung is the only killer here, not this noble attempt to right decades of wrongs and provide some small measure of comfort to those who will die chocking on their last breath as a result of working in the coal mines."
Currently, in order to receive black lung benefits, miners must prove black lung significantly contributed to their disability, or widows have to reapply and prove the miner had black lung that significantly contributed to or hastened death. Under a proposal offered by Senator Robert, amendments would allow workers with 15 or more years in the mines to be presumed to have black lung and make it easier for widows to receive benefits. The changes would be effective retroactive to 2005. West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts says Byrd's legislation could cost almost $1 billion, while calling it a job killer. The United Mine Workers of America Union calls the changes a "noble attempt to right decades of wrongs." In response to Steve Roberts' comment, UMWA President Cecil Roberts shot back with "What a crock." He says, "Black lung is the only killer here, not this noble attempt to right decades of wrongs and provide some small measure of comfort to those who will die chocking on their last breath as a result of working in the coal mines."
# posted by Homer Owens @ 1:50 AM 
