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SALT LAKE CITY — Dozens of people gathered to protest in front of the residence of the head of Pacific Corps Energy. The group is accusing the company of taking away health and pension benefits.
The group is trying to bring awareness on an issue they say has been ignored all year.
"They're coming after our health care and our pension", said Tom Kay, a miner at the Deer Creek Mine. Kay has been working at the mine for 36 years and said he was promised health care for life.
The group is upset over the amount of time it has taken the company to respond to concerns over the alleged benefit cuts. About 300 people will be affected by the supposed move to cut health and pension benefits, including some retirees.
They're coming after our health care and our pension.
–Tom Kay,miner
Energy West, however, said they have not proposed to take away employee health benefits. "Throughout the country, workers and employers alike are dealing with rising health care costs," a spokesperson for Energy West said. "Energy West is proposing a more commonly used health plan, something miners represented by this union in other states have already accepted."
Mike Burke, an representative for United Mine Workers, said all the miners want is a fair deal.
"It's taken years for us to accumulate what we do have, and they're wanting to take our benefits and wages and make cuts," Burke said.
Over the years, Burke said miners have negotiated less money on their paycheck for better benefits, because of the nature of the job.
A spokesperson for Energy West said they've been negotiating with the union since last fall and have submitted several proposals for a new contract. However, none of the proposals have been accepted by the union. "The company is committed to a resolution that is fair to both employees and customers, protects safety and keeps costs competitive."
