Covering Up
Jan 27th, 2006 at 11:02 am by Susie
The Alma mine in Logan Country, where two miners were killed last week, lies in the shadow of Blair Mountain, site of the famous battle between miners and company guards over unionization of West Virginia’s coal mines.
This week another battle is brewing between the miner’s union and the company that owns the Sago mine where 12 workers died — International Coal Group — over the union’s participation in the investigation of the Sago mine disaster. So far, the union seems to be winning — with the help of the federal government.
Yesterday, ICG guards blocked UMW representatives from accompanying investigators from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from entering the Sago mine to begin the investigation. Although Sago miners are not represented by the UMW, several families of the dead miners designated the UMW as their representatives. MSHA agreed with the union and sought a court order to force ICG to allow union representatives onto company property to participate in the Sago Mine disaster investigation.
Today, U.S. District Judge Robert E. Maxwell ordered ICG to allow the union representatives to enter the mine.
Citizens form group to protect coal miners
Sago Outrage is a maillist, gathering supporters. We plan to put the issue of the safety of coal miners, and by extension the safety of all working people, on the national agenda.
Here’s the first message, an overview of the Sago disaster:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sago_outrage/message/1
If you’re concerned that there’s no justice for coal miners, please join Sago Outrage:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sago_outrage/
Thanks!
richard myers
Moderator, Sago Outrage
Denver, Colorado
rtmyers@h2net.net