Upshur Coals Corp. v. United Mine Workers, District 31

PHILLIPS, Circuit Judge:

This is an appeal from a decision vacating an arbitration award based upon an interpretation of the National Bituminous Coal Wage agreement of 1984 (1984 NBCWA). The arbitration board concluded that the 1984 NBCWA required appellee, Upshur Coals, to continue providing accrued health benefits to laid off employees even after the 1984 NBCWA had expired. The district court reversed the decision of the arbitration board, holding that Ups-hur’s responsibilities ended with the expiration of the 1984 NBCWA. Because the arbitration award was entitled to great deference, and…