Hearing Will Addresses Alpha Natural Resources’ Union Contract

A hearing is coming up for Alpha Natural Resources as the company asks a judge to allow it to break a contract with a union in order to reorganize its finances. The Associated Press reports that Alpha Natural Resources filed a petition on Monday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond, asking to be able to modify the company’s obligations for retiree health care benefits. Company lawyers say that the company spent about $53 million on health care benefits for union employees last year, with the most spent on union employees. The company has asked for a hearing to be held on April 12 to address the issue.