years of service to retire with full benefits at any age. In September 2003, Roberts called an International Special Convention to restructure UMWA. Delegates approved proposals to eliminate all International Vice President positions, and combine the International Executive Board Member, District President and District Secretary-Treasurer positions into one office called International District Vice President. Delegates also approved moving the 2005 presidential election up to 2004. In 2004, Roberts was re-elected a third time as president of UMWA. In December 2005, Roberts negotiated a new national coal agreement which contained the highest pay raises since 1974. Health benefits were maintained, and coal companies will increase contributions to the UMWA Pension Fund by more than $500 million. In 2008, Roberts received the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Award. References Bibliography Baratz, Morton S. The Union and the Coal Industry. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1955. Coleman, McAlister. Men and Coal. New York: Farrar and Rinehart, 1969. Fox, Maier B. United We Stand: The United Mine Workers of America, 1890–1990. Washington, D.C.: United Mine Workers of America, 1990. J. H. M. Laslett, The United Mine Workers of America: A Model of Industrial Solidarity? (1996). Long, Priscilla. Where the Sun Never Shines: A History of America's Bloody Coal Industry. New York: Paragon, 1989. External links United Mine Workers of America Roberts UMWA C.E.Roberts Penn State records Login required 1946 births Living people Presidents of the United Mine Workers American coal miners United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War People from Cabin Creek, West Virginia United States Army soldiers Trade unionists from West Virginia West Virginia University Institute of Technology alumni