Joel R. Glucksman
Partner
201-896-7095 jglucksman@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Patriot Coal To Impose Less Severe Cuts Than It Could Have
Author: Joel R. Glucksman
Date: July 26, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Bankrupt company Patriot Coal Corporation recently obtained court permission to eliminate its collective-bargaining agreements with unionized miners. However, the company said it plans to impose less severe cuts than it could under the court’s ruling in order to protect and maintain relationships with its workers.
In a statement, the company announced that it has made cuts to employee wages and benefits, but that the cuts were less than they could have been under the court’s recent ruling. In May, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States ruled that in addition to tossing out union contracts, the company could also slash health benefits for workers and retirees. However, Patriot said it will maintain retired workers’ health plans for the next two months while it continues negotiating with the union. Although talks with union representatives have been tense since the company filed for bankruptcy law protection, Patriot assured that recent discussions have already “resulted in substantial progress toward a consensual resolution.”
While the coal company and the United Mine Workers of America chose not to disclose the specifics of their talks, the groups said they hope to reach a resolution by the end of July.
“Patriot and the UMWA are continuing to meet in a diligent effort to resolve the outstanding differences and reach a consensual agreement,” the groups stated.
Although the coal company is attempting to assuage workers by making as few cuts as possible, many longtime workers and retirees continue to launch protests against it, which has led to many arrests in recent months.
UMWA President Cecil Roberts said he expects there will be significantly more protests until a resolution that takes miners and their families into account is reached.
“This is kind of like the struggle of the civil rights movement,” said Roberts, according to The Associated Press. “It didn’t end in a week or a month or a year or two. It was a long process. This is about justice and fairness, and anytime you’re fighting for justice and fairness, that fight might take a while. But we’re never going to stop.”
- Practices: Corporate Transactions & Business
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
How Intellectual Property Valuation Will Impact Business Transactions
Intellectual property valuation determines the monetary value of a business’s IP assets, and it drives outcomes in licensing deals, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and ownership disputes. The most valuable assets of a business are often the things that cannot be seen or touched: a proprietary process, a copyrighted work, brand recognition, or the […]
Author: Jay McDaniel
Data Center, Dark Fiber, and Lit Services Agreements in New Jersey: Key Terms and Legal Pitfalls
For New Jersey data center owners and operators, a service agreement may look routine when it is signed. The network is functioning, the vendor is meeting its installation schedule, and the parties have agreed on pricing and performance specifications. The provisions that seem most important at that stage are often the technical ones. That changes […]
Author: George McGowan
Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate
The Fort Monmouth redevelopment has entered its execution phase, and it is repositioning the broader Monmouth County real estate market. When Netflix and the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority closed on the 292-acre Mega Parcel in December 2025, the transaction did more than hand over a deed. It marked the moment Fort Monmouth stopped being […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand
Owning a residential rental property in New Jersey involves more than finding tenants and collecting rent. Property owners must comply with a combination of state laws, municipal ordinances, building and housing codes, and zoning and land use regulations. These requirements can affect everything from the number of dwelling units permitted at a property to whether […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them
The five most common real estate disputes are breach of contract claims, landlord-tenant conflicts, zoning and land use disagreements, construction claims, and boundary disputes. Understanding why each arises, and taking preventive steps early, can help property owners, tenants, developers, and investors avoid costly litigation. Key Takeaways: Real estate transactions are complex endeavors involving numerous parties […]
Author: Paul Grossman
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan
Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]
Author: George McGowan
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.