Charleston, WV (WOAY) – United Mine Workers of America president announces plans to retire after serving 30 years in the position.
According to the UMWA website, Cecil Roberts announced to the International Executive Board that he plans to retire at the close of the International Special Convention that will be held in October 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. Roberts is currently in his 7th consecutive term as International President of the United Mine Workers of America.
Cecil Roberts took over the position from the late President Emeritus Richard L. Trumka on October 22, 1995, he served as UMWA’s International Vice President beginning in December,1982.
“I am going to retire at the end of the Special Convention. I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world. It has been 59 years since I was drafted, and I survived Vietnam, returned home and have been able to live for 50 plus years. I contracted cancer because of Vietnam, but I’m cancer free as of now and am working to remain so. I am a lucky guy,” said Roberts.
Recently Roberts announced that Brian Sanson would be his successor. Sanson currently serves as the organization’s international secretary treasurer.
“Brian Sanson is going to be your next president. I want everybody to know that I am going to do everything I can to support him, and I’m going to do everything in my power to get him elected when the next elections come around. I will put my name on every piece of material I can in support of him. I suggest that we all ought to do the same.”
Roberts says he looks forward to spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he retires.
