PROTEST RALLY TODAY AGAINST COAL TRUCK WEIGHTS - UMW President Will Speak

(03/04/2003)

The United Mine Workers Union will rally at noon today at the state capitol protesting the coal truck bill. The bill appears to be of the fast track for passage, after failing last year. Highway officials say to upgrade the state's highways to sustain the trucks would cost billions of dollars. The Senate passed a bill last Friday increasing weight limits on coal trucks to 120,000 pounds on designated roads in certain counties, rasing the limits from 60,000 and 80,000 pounds. UMWA International President Cecil Roberts says time is running out for the majority to be heard on the issue. Roberts is calling for all state residents who oppose raising weight limits to show up at the capitol for the rally. He says it's not to late to make a difference. Coal trucks have illegally been hauling overweight for years in West Virginia, sometimes upward to 180,000 pounds. Numerous accidents involving overweight coal trucks have killed residents, mostly in southern West Virginia.

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