CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — About 175 West Virginia coal mining families are picketing in St. Louis as the United Mine Workers of America tries to salvage health care benefits for retirees and widows from Patriot Coal's bankruptcy.
Miners from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio are also planning to join the protest Tuesday outside the federal building and the headquarters of one company the union blames for the bankruptcy, Peabody Energy.
The bankruptcy affects more than 10,000 retirees and 10,000 dependents, mostly in those states.
Patriot calls its pension and health care programs unsustainable legacies.
A judge moved Patriot's case to St. Louis in November. An $802 million financing package is letting it continue operating while it restructures.
The Charleston Daily Mail (http://bit.ly/WqEYZQ ) says the UMWA posted billboard and TV ads ahead of the hearing.
___
Information from: Charleston Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.com
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
