Miners demanding enforced safety rules

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sapulpadailyherald.com/business/cnhinsenergy_story_296221317.html?keyword=topstory

Miners demanding enforced safety rules
By Mannix Porterfield
THE REGISTER-HERALD (BECKLEY, W.V.)

On one of his first days on the job, the man in charge of overseeing the country's mines are safe was welcomed by picketers who wanted him to know they're watching.

The United Mine Workers of America set up an informational picket line in front of Richard Sticklery's new office at the Mine Safety and Health Administration office. Miners from West Viriginia and Pennsylvania joined in, picketing for heightened enforcement of new coal safety laws.

Stickler’s appointment during a recess of Congress didn’t come without protest from both of West Virginia’s senators.

“The sad reality of the Bush administration’s actions is that the person who will now lead MSHA lacks the trust of the miners he’s charged to protect and has a skewed view of what the safety priorities should be,” Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said.

Byrd said the nation needs “a bulldog agency” that will assign top priority to industry safety.

Stickler has come under intense fire over his connections to industry at a time the nation is refocused on safety in the wake of several fatal accidents.

A dozen miners were killed in an explosion at the Sago mine Jan. 2 in Upshur County. One workman escaped. Less than two weeks later, two other miners perished in a conveyor belt fire in Logan County.

The deaths inspired the West Virginia Legislature to rush through emergency response legislation to deal with any future mining tragedies, and Congress followed with an even more stringent safety proposal.


FULL story at link above.

[brook]

1. Another political

'gift'. About the only thing the * Administration gets 100% for is appointing exactly the wrong person for the job. It's despicable. Jack Carter mentioned it today when he was talking to Randi.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Backsliding to the Gilded Age -- Robber barons, "company men", etc ... nt