November 2, 2025 - A changing of the guard is seeing a new face at the forefront for one of the nation’s longest standing labor organizations.

Cecil Roberts has served as a powerful force for union rights as the President of the United Mine Workers of America. At the recent UMWA Special Convention, he passed on the title he has held for three decades on to the next generation.

UMWA swears in new president

Photo: UMWA

Brian Sanson, a West Virginia native, began his coal mining career the year Roberts became president of the union, 1995. He soon became a member of UMWA Local Union 2236. Since then he served his fellow workers in numerous ways in including aid in contract bargaining and counseling laid-off miners.

In the organization, Sanson has served as a Health and Safety Committeeman and Grievance Committeeman, International Secretary-Treasurer, worked with the UMWA America Career Center and much more.

Sanson has big shoes to fill as Roberts has become nearly synonymous with the organization in his three decade career. Roberts term as president is the second longest in the union’s history.

Roberts recently travelled to Washington to advocate for miner protections at the U.S. Department of labor.

“You can’t replace a legend, you can only follow them,” said Sanson who now serves as the 16th President of the organization.