UMW (loboforestal - 7/12/2006 5:54:18 PM)
BY KATHY STILL
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
CASTLEWOOD +óGé¼GÇ£ United Mine Workers of America+óGé¼Gäós Virginia political action committee on Monday endorsed the candidacies of U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th, and Democratic U.S Senate candidate Jim Webb.The endorsements came as no surprise because the union traditionally supports Democrats. The elections will be held Nov. 7.
Boucher+óGé¼Gäós challenger, Republican Charles Carrico, a state delegate, did not attend the endorsement interview. Sen. George Allen, a Republican, was visiting Guantanamo Bay and sent Charlie Hale, a mining engineer, to represent him at the meeting at the UMWA offices in Castlewood.
Boucher, who has received the UMWA endorsement since he first ran for Congress in 1982, pledged to continue his work to find a solution to the health care benefit issue that has dogged the organization for years. The union was promised lifetime health care by President Truman in the late 1940s, but court challenges and coal company bankruptcies have cast a shadow over the health coverage.
The congressman also said he would continue to encourage developments to convert coal to liquid fuel to ease the nation+óGé¼Gäós dependency on foreign oil and to spur the nation+óGé¼Gäós economy.
Boucher and Webb said they would support an increase in the minimum wage.
+óGé¼+ôI+óGé¼Gäóm with you,+óGé¼-¥ Webb, a former Navy secretary and member of the Writer+óGé¼Gäós Guild said. +óGé¼+ôI+óGé¼Gäóm a union member.+óGé¼-¥
Webb said he warned against the Iraq War before it started.
+óGé¼+ôIt+óGé¼Gäós about our troops getting turned into terrorist targets,+óGé¼-¥ Webb said.
There is no exit strategy because those who planned the war have no plans to leave Iraq, Webb said.
Boucher and Webb faced a friendly crowd of retired miners and union leaders during a question-and-answer session. Hale, Allen+óGé¼Gäós representative, was not as fortunate.
The crowd pounded him with questions about Allen+óGé¼Gäós stance on the war in Iraq, the senator+óGé¼Gäós lack of military service during the Vietnam war, his vote against the minimum wage increase and two meetings he failed to attend with union members in Washington, D.C.
Hale said he will seek answers to the questions.
kstill@bristolnews.com | (276) 679-1338
(Castlewood, VA)â€â€The United Mine Workers of America’s Virginia Coal Miners’ Political Action Committee (COMPAC) has voted to endorse Jim Webb for United States Senate. With over 7,000 members in Virginia, the United Mine Workers of America has been a staple in Virginia as they have worked to ensure safe working conditions and protect healthcare benefits for mine workers and their families.
"Jim Webb is a proven leader and will be a great friend to the United Mine Workers of America in the United States Senate," said Sam Church, former President of UMWA and Virgina Coordinator for COMPAC. "He understands the challenges facing mine workers and cares deeply about mine safety and improving wages for working families."
During a roundtable discussion with leaders from COMPAC, Webb emphasized his intention to vote for an increase to the nation’s hourly minimum wage $5.15 to $7.25. UMWA members joined Webb in criticizing George Allen for his four separate votes opposing the minimum wage increase despite voting four times to increase his own pay by a total of $31,600.
"My family settled in Southwest Virginia many generations ago. From my own experience, I know the importance of organizations like United Mine Workers of America. For over a century, they have helped guarantee a safer working environment for hard working people as well as livable wages and good health benefits," said Webb. "I'm grateful for their support."