My stepdad, who is a dedicated member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), went through a divorce and is planning to marry my mom. Their happiness is overshadowed by an unjust UMWA pension rule that mandates his pension benefits will go to his ex-wife upon his death. My mom, despite being his future spouse and dedicating herself to his well-being, would be excluded from the support she deserves.

The UMWA pension system currently directs the pension of a member to their previous spouse, even if they have divorced and the member has remarried. This not only disregards the contribution and presence of the current spouse but also places an undue emotional and financial burden on families in similar situations. Regrettably, many members and their families in Pennsylvania and across the nation face this distressing dilemma.

Statistics indicate that more than 20% of UMWA members may inadvertently support previous spouses financially, irrespective of their current marital status. This outdated provision is not only unfair but potentially harmful to the well-being of current spouses who may rely on these benefits for survival, particularly in situations where other income may be limited.

We urge UMWA's leadership to amend the pension rules to allow a member's current spouse to receive benefits, rather than their previous spouse. Acknowledging genuine, ongoing relationships in pension provisions ensures justice and honors the union’s commitment to supporting the families of its members.

Updating this policy would align the union’s benefits with its principles of unity and fair treatment. We are calling upon all UMWA members, current spouses, policymakers, and concerned citizens in Pennsylvania and beyond to support this change and ensure a fair solution is reached.

We need your support, whether you're a union member, a current spouse, or simply someone who believes in fairness and justice. Let's unite to create a more just system that respects the contributions of current spouses. Please sign this petition to urge UMWA to amend its pension rules.