UMWA officials said the deal with Magnum covers about 2500 active miners and retired union members, the WV Gazette reported.

 

The contract, which the union initially signed with the Bituminous Coal Operators Association (BCOA) and member company Consol Energy, includes a $US1000 bonus to all active miners, $10-per-month pension increases over the life of the agreement, and an increase in shift differentials.

 

Preserved as part of the pact were full health care benefits for all workers, active and retired, as well as their dependents.

 

One of the most significant parts of the new contract is a 20% union-wide wage increase, which amounts to 32% when all other increases are factored in. The training rate for new miners will be $22.47 per hour in the last year of the agreement, while top-rate workers will be earning $24.42 hourly.

 

Magnum was formed in 2005 and is owned by Arch Coal and ArcLight Capital Partners.