[Marxism] Union miners fight mass firings in Utah; Mine Workers' union backs them

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

January 25, 1905
Labor support grows for
Utah miners' union fight
UMWA 'Journal' features Co-Op struggle

BY KATHERINE BENNETT
PRICE, Utah-"Until they decided to rise up against a hostile mine
operator, coal miners working at C. W. Mining Co.'s Co-Op Mine near
Huntington, Utah, worked often in unsafe conditions and earned just $5
to $7 per hour with no health benefits," says a description of the photo
featured in the January section of the 2005 calendar published by the
United Mine Workers Journal.

The Journal is the news magazine of the United Mine Workers of America
(UMWA), which sends out the calendar annually to all subscribers and
union members. Each month the calendar features coal miners who are part
of struggles in the coalfields and beyond.

Its publication coincides with growing support from the labor movement
in the United States for the 16-month-long struggle by the Co-Op miners
to win representation by the UMWA. This backing includes financial
contributions and letters to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
demanding it rule in favor of demands by the workers to be reinstated at
the mine. The bosses fired most of the workers en masse December 9, a
week prior to a union representation election. Recent support for the
Co-Op miners has come from UMWA locals and district bodies, locals of
the United Transportation Union, and others.

"Their situation reminded many of the old days of coal mining when
workers had no rights, no security and no dignity. The straw that broke
the camel's back came in September 2003 when the operator decided to
unjustly discipline a popular rank-and-file leader," says the UMWA
Journal calendar.

"Some 70 miners walked out of the mine and refused to work. The operator
responded by locking them out, launching a 10-month strike that labor
hailed as a 'pivotal battle for the rights of workers.' The striking
miners asked the UMWA for help, and the union responded by filing unfair
labor practice charges. The NLRB ruled for the miners, and in July 2004
they returned to work with a right to back pay. The miners also asked
the UMWA to file a representation petition, which we did. In 2005 the
UMWA will fight with the Co-Op miners to help them finally gain true
union representation."

The last statement is important, Co-Op miners say, because it points out
that the miners have yet to win union representation and still need
solidarity.

One month ago, on December 17, a union election was held at the Co-Op
mine, located in Huntington, in the middle of an important western coal
mining region. Of the 10 working underground coal mines in this area,
only two are organized by the UMWA. Co-Op miners had three choices on
the union representation ballot: UMWA, no union, or International
Association of United Workers Union (IAUWU). Workers say the IAUWU is an
outfit organized and run by the bosses. The NLRB had ordered the
election last July after more than 75 Co-Op miners signed a petition for
a union election with the government agency.

Following a strike that lasted nearly 10 months, the NLRB ruled that the
miners were illegally fired and ordered C.W. Mining, which is owned by
the Kingston family, to reinstate every miner. The strikers returned to
work July 12.

NLRB Region 27 ruled November 18 that supervisory personnel and
relatives of the Kingston family would not be eligible to vote. The
company appealed this decision to the national NLRB. Because of the
appeal, Kingston family members were permitted to vote in the December
17 election, but their ballots were sealed, pending a ruling by the
national labor board. The bosses also challenged most of the ballots of
the some 40 pro-UMWA miners. Election results will not be announced
until the NLRB rules on these challenges.

The struggle has received widespread support and solidarity in the
United States, especially in the West, as well as other countries.

Almost all the Co-Op miners who supported the UMWA were fired about a
week before the union election. The company claimed these miners, many
of whom had worked at the mine for many years, did not have proper work
documents. There is only one pro-UMWA miner left working at the mine
now.

While waiting for the results of the union election and the NLRB's
ruling on charges filed to reverse the mass firings, the miners have
been looking for work in other area mines. Many Co-Op miners have
succeeded. About 20, though, have not yet found employment.

The miners report that just about every day they receive letters of
support, many with financial donations to the Co-Op Miners Fund, at the
UMWA hall in Price, Utah. A letter dated January 4 was signed by William
Kleckler and Ed Koucherick, president and recording secretary,
respectively, of UMWA Local 1385, which organizes workers at the Seneca
Mine in Hayden, Colorado. "We feel the dismissal of a significant number
of the workers who were in the process of participating in the vote for
union representation is an act that is very much in violation of the
rules that you are in place to uphold," says the letter, which is
addressed to the NLRB. "We ask you to rule in favor of the workers in
this matter and against C. W. Mining Co. We feel the election for
representation needs to take place in a fair and equitable manner."

The local also voted to send $300 to the Co-Op Miners Fund, workers
reported.

Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International
Union (PACE) Local 8-578 sent the following message to the miners: "Dear
Brothers and Sisters: At our January union meeting, our local voted to
send you a donation of $1,000. Your uncompromising struggle for a real
union and human dignity is an inspiring example to workers everywhere.
You have stood with us and we stand along side you in our collective
fight for justice. Hasta la Victoria siempre! Venceremos."

Many letters are being sent by individuals from towns and cities
throughout Utah. Almost all the letters contain checks from $25 to $200,
Co-Op miners say. A supporter from Bountiful wrote, "A small donation
toward helping out the work of the miners. Wish it could be more." The
note in a card sent from Stansbury Park, said, "To the Miners, Your
struggle for just treatment and fair wages are supported in prayers and
monetarily. Be hopeful and strong!"

One recent letter to the miners from a supporter in Salt Lake City said,
"They have put you Hispanics into human bondage also paying meager wages
and no benefits for your families. Fight them-fight them-fight them. And
go by the theme of the UMWA. 'A Fair Day's work for a fair day's pay.'"

The miners report that many messages have come from people who said they
had read about their struggle in the Utah newspaper the Intermountain
Catholic. After sending a reporter to Huntington to interview the
miners, the newspaper published a two-part series on the Co-Op miners in
the December 14 and January 2 issues. Both articles ended with
information about sending donations and messages to the miners.

One of the first letters of solidarity the miners received following the
mass firing was from railroad workers in Minnesota. The letter was
accompanied by a $1,000 donation, collected at an annual Christmas party
for members of United Transportation Union Locals 650 and 1614 in South
Saint Paul. The letter said the funds were donated "knowing the
hardships and injustices you have endured, especially the recent firing
of your members by the Co-Op Mine Company. We are railroad workers
employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Co.. We have followed your
inspiring struggle with great interest and support through the last
year. We know that your fight is our fight. Any victory by working
people anywhere strengthens the movement everywhere. Best wishes."

The fired miners say funds continue to be urgently needed. They should
be sent to: UMWA District 22, 525 East, 100 South, Price, UT 84501.
Checks should be made out to the Co-Op Miners Fund. Messages of support
can also be faxed to the UMWA at (435) 637-9456. For more information
call the UMWA at (435) 637-2037.

Miners are also urging their supporters to continue to write, call, or
fax the NLRB to protest the mass firings, demand reinstatement of the
workers, and ask that the election be decided based on the November 18
NLRB ruling on who is eligible to vote. Letters to the NLRB should be
sent to: National NLRB, Robert J. Battista, Chairman, 1099 14th St.
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20570-0001; and NLRB Region 27, Director, B.
Allan Benson, 600 17th St., 7th floor-North Tower, Denver, CO
80202-5433; Tel: (303) 844-3551; Fax: (303) 844-6249.


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