January - February - United Mine Workers of America

United Mine Workers
journal
UMWA Veterans...................................4
There are thousands of UMWA members
who wore their nation’s uniform, serving
in conflicts all over the world. The
UMWA Veterans Leadership Committee
is working to bring veterans issues to the
forefront in Washington.
Interview with President Roberts.......8
Our International President reflects on the
victory of working families in the recent
election and lays out the challenges our
union faces in the coming year.
We won! Now what?.........................10
The UMW Journal previews several of
the pressing legislative priorities facing
the UMWA and all working families in
Washington.
Departments
Actively Retired................................ 9
Around Our Union.........................14
Our Health and Safety....................18
Poems/Books/Music...................... 19
Districts in Action.......................... 20
UMWA Health and
Retirement Funds Reports............. 22
Cover Photo: Barack Obama takes
the oath of office to become the 44th
President of the United States. Photo by
Kaveh Sardari for Page One.
Annie Shelton (center) stands between President Roberts and Secretary-
Treasurer Kane and is surrounded by almost all the International Headquarters
staff at a celebration for her retirement in December 2008.
Longtime UMWA receptionist Shelton retires
If you have ever visited or called the UMWA’s International Headquarters over
the last 30-plus years, chances are very good that you talked to Annie Shelton.
After a long and much appreciated career, Ms. Shelton, who first came to work at
the union during the presidency of Arnold Miller, retired at the end of 2008.
The union’s long-time receptionist worked at the front desk and was the
first voice and face most people came in contact with at the UMWA. She took
that responsibility very seriously.
“First impressions go a long way,” Ms. Shelton said. “I wanted to make sure
that when people called on the phone with a question or came into the building,
they had a good experience. Even when I wasn’t feeling so good or I was having a
bad day personally, I always tried to help make their day a little bit better.”
“I can’t remember a time that I have come to the office and not seen
Annie,” President Roberts said. “Her long commitment to the UMWA, our
members, their spouses and their families sets a standard every one of us strives
to match. We will miss her a great deal, but we are also very happy that she will
be able to enjoy a retirement she so richly deserves.
UMWA Health and Retirement Funds reports
included in this issue
Annual reports for the various funds under the UMWA Health and
Retirement Funds umbrella are included on pages 22 and 23 of this issue
of the UMW Journal. This is in compliance with U.S. Department of Labor
regulations that require dissemination of these reports either through the
mail or by being printed in the union’s official publication. These reports
contain important information about the status of the Funds and your rights
under the law and should be retained for future reference.
David Kameras
Produced by the UMWA Communications Department: Phil Smith, Department Director, Editor; David Kameras, Communications Coordinator;
Matt Alley, Communications Specialist; Thelma Blount, Department Secretary;
GO! Creative, llc, Design
Official Publication of the United Mine Workers of America, 8315 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22031-2215, www.umwa.org
© by the United Mine Workers of America. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The United Mine Workers Journal (ISSN
0041-7327, USPS 649-780) is published bimonthly by the United Mine Workers of America, 8315 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22031-2215. Periodicals postage paid at Fairfax, VA and at
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UNITED MINE WORKERS JOURNAL, Data Edit Department, 8315 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22031-2215. Telephone:
703-208-7240. Subscription price: $10 per year to non-UMWA individuals, $25 per year to institutions, $100 per year to corporations. Dues-paying members and associate
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Pursuant to Section 6113 of the Internal Revenue Code, we are required to notify you that membership dues paid to the UMWA are not deductible as charitable contributions for
federal income tax purposes.
2 January/February 2009 • United Mine Workers Journal