- cross-posted to:
- nyt_gift_articles@sopuli.xyz
- cross-posted to:
- nyt_gift_articles@sopuli.xyz
President Trump has been a cheerleader for coal miners. But these miners say his administration is failing to enforce limits on a lethal workplace hazard
President Trump has been a cheerleader for coal miners. But these miners say his administration is failing to enforce limits on a lethal workplace hazard
These coal miners didn’t read the fine print: the administration is a cheerleader for coal mining BUSINESSES, not for coal miners. Coal miners, especially sick ones, are just a sunk cost to them.
As the son of a 30-year coal miner, not reading the fine print is a prerequisite to mining. If they were worried about the finer details the majority of them wouldn’t be there to begin with.
I won’t stand for this coal miner slander, they used to be militant unionists agitating for workers’ rights. They were thoroughly crushed and defeated, but not before making major material gains. Efforts have since been made by those in power to make the Appalachian people forget their history, and all that remains of that movement are traumatized and chronically ill elderly folk.
It’s a whole 'nother generation and breed of miner, my friend. Those miners understood the power of collective action and the power they held within the nation as a major contributor to the economy and what essentially made the country move.
Today’s miners, meaning in the last 40-60 years, have been coasting on the battles hard-fought by their fathers and grandfathers. Do you think the miners of today would have fought for unionization or medical benefits? I sincerely doubt it. No, today’s mining culture is a far cry from those who died at Blair Mountain and fought against Pinkertons.
I think Matewan should be one of those things commonly viewed at the high school level…
Print fine like the silica dust
Ay, I am so sorry, but you are so right.