Form 8-K

0000950123-09-071137.txt : 20091216 0000950123-09-071137.hdr.sgml : 20091216 20091216114702 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-09-071137 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20091216 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20091216 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091216 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WESTMORELAND COAL CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000106455 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221] IRS NUMBER: 231128670 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11155 FILM NUMBER: 091243677 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 NORTH CASCADE AVENUE 14TH FLOOR CITY: COLORADO SPRINGS STATE: CO ZIP: 80903 BUSINESS PHONE: 7194422600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 N CASCADE AVE STREET 2: # 14THFL CITY: COLORADO SPRINGS STATE: CO ZIP: 80903-1614 8-K 1 c93778e8vk.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 16, 2009

WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-11155 23-1128670

(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

2 North Cascade Avenue, 2nd Floor, Colorado Springs, CO
80903

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (719) 442-2600

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

Westmoreland Coal Company (the “Company”) issued a press release on December 16, 2009 regarding the modernization of a portion of the Company’s heritage medical obligations to certain of its and its subsidiaries’ retiree population. The press release of December 16^th is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated December 16, 2009

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
Date: December 16, 2009	By:	/s/ Morris W. Kegley

		Morris W. Kegley, General Counsel and Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated December 16, 2009

EX-99.1 2 c93778exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Westmoreland and United Mine Workers of America Enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding to Modernize Post Retirement
Prescription Drug Benefits
_______________________________________________

Colorado Springs, Colorado – December 16, 2009 — Westmoreland Coal Company (NYSE Amex:WLB) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with the United Mine Workers of America (“UMWA”) to modernize the method by which prescription drugs are provided to retirees of Westmoreland’s former Eastern operations, and to retirees of its subsidiary Basin Resources, Inc. (“Basin”) in Colorado. Under the agreement, Westmoreland and Basin will utilize a new system of distribution and administration, along with drug formularies, to enable them to continue to provide prescription drug benefits to retirees at a lower cost to the companies. These modifications are expected to become effective around April 1, 2010.

Keith E. Alessi, Westmoreland’s President and CEO said “Our staff, the union and outside professionals have been working for over a year to design a modern delivery system for prescription drugs. I am highly appreciative of the cooperation of the union leadership in this effort. We have incorporated efficiencies in both the acquisition and distribution of prescription drugs in this agreement. The savings from this, combined with savings from our previously announced pension freeze and elimination of post retirement prescription benefits for non represented employees, will result in meaningful reductions in our actuarially calculated balance sheet liabilities at year end as well as reductions in heritage expenses beginning in 2010.”

Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the United States. The Company’s coal operations include coal mining in the Powder River Basin in Montana and lignite mining operations in Montana, North Dakota and Texas. Its power operations include ownership of the two-unit ROVA coal-fired power plant in North Carolina. Westmoreland is dedicated to meeting America’s dual goals of low-cost power and a clean environment. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.com.

# # #
Contact: Keith Alessi (719) 442-2600


Delaware	001-11155	23-1128670
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)


2 North Cascade Avenue, 2nd Floor, Colorado Springs, CO		80903
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)