Equipment Damaged At Warrior Met Coal As UMWA Strike Persists

BROOKWOOD, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed this week to Patch that investigations are underway following damage done to equipment at Warrior Met Coal, as a protracted labor strike by United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) enters its fourth month.

Additionally, Warrior Met Coal also said this week that a $10,000 reward is now being offered for more information on damage caused on three separate occasions over the last two months. The company elaborated, saying damage was done to electrical transmission and distribution equipment.

"We are investigating several ongoing cases," said TCSO Public Information Officer Jessica McDaniel in a statement to Patch. "We ask that any information regarding the property crimes that occurred in Tuscaloosa County be reported by calling (205) 752-0616."

The Alabama Mining Association (AMA) announced the reward on Tuesday on behalf of Warrior Met Coal, saying the damage was intentionally caused on the evenings of May 15, June 1, or June 12.

AMA went on to say damage to the equipment impacted public utility service and could seriously endanger the health and safety of the company’s workers.

“Our industry’s greatest responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of our workforce and our neighbors in the communities where we operate,” said AMA President Patrick Cagle. “These incidents were serious threats to Warrior’s team and the surrounding area, and we encourage anyone with information to contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office so this reckless behavior can be stopped."

The nonprofit trade association then said the amount of the reward will be determined by how helpful the information was to law enforcement in apprehending the person or people responsible.

The situation in Brookwood, especially in recent weeks, has become a tense one after more than 1,000 union members walked off the job in early April, with middle ground yet to be reached by the company and labor union.

Instances of violence from both sides have also been reported on numerous occasions since the picket line first formed, with a least one video showing a window of a vehicle busted out by striking miners, while others have shown company employees allegedly hitting those on the picket lines with their vehicles as the entrance to the Brookwood facility was blocked.

The strike was initially prompted by the union's desire for a new collective bargaining agreement between UMWA and Warrior Met. While votes on a new agreement were then cast in local union halls in late April, the measure ultimately failed to garner the necessary support to see the striking miners return to work.

Tannehill State Park in McCalla then became the rallying point for the union cause, as UMWA has regularly hosted demonstrations at the park in the months since the strike began. The latest of these rallies is scheduled for tonight (Wednesday, June 30 at 6 p.m.) and will feature UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts as the keynote speaker.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.