United Mine Workers defends Obama, shuts down mine in West Virginia.

[Pirate Smile]

UMW defends Obama, shuts down mine

From a West Virginia ABC affiliate, on a shutdown at a Blacksville mine:

Union officials say they took the day to protest after a film crew from the National Rifle Assocation showed up at the Consol mine last week to interview union workers.

They say the crew tried to get union coal miners to speak out against Barak Obama.

The UMWA has endorsed the democratic presidential nominee.

"This was a surprise visit," explained VP Local 1702, Safety Chairman Eric Greathouse, "and a lot of the miners felt this was a direct slap in the face of the union because they were trying to coerce our people into saying things against Barck Obama."

"Consol doesn't let anybody on their property - never," said Safety Committee Member Mark Dorsey, "And for them to let the NRA come on the property and solicit our membership was totally uncalled for. We made our endorsement to our political process and we didn't bother them and they shouldn't be harassing our membership over this."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/UMW_defends_Obama_shuts_down_mine.html?showall

Blacksville #2 Mine Idle After 440 Workers Stay Home
Posted Monday, September 29, 2008 ; 06:20 PM
Updated Monday, September 29, 2008 ; 07:07 PM

Watch Story Video

UMWA Workers Took Memorial Day in Protest

Story by Courtney Dunn
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Courtney Dunn

BLACKSVILLE -- Coal production at a mine in Monongalia County came to a halt today when every union miner stayed home, as part of a political protest.

It was an idle day Monday at the Blacksville #2 Mine.

More than 440 workers who are members of the United Mine Workers of America took what's called a Memorial Day instead of going to work.

Union officials say they took the day to protest after a film crew from the National Rifle Assocation showed up at the Consol mine last week to interview union workers.

They say the crew tried to get union coal miners to speak out against Barak Obama.

The UMWA has endorsed the democratic presidential nominee.

"This was a surprise visit," explained VP Local 1702, Safety Chairman Eric Greathouse, "and a lot of the miners felt this was a direct slap in the face of the union because they were trying to coerce our people into saying things against Barck Obama."

"Consol doesn't let anybody on their property - never," said Safety Committee Member Mark Dorsey, "And for them to let the NRA come on the property and solicit our membership was totally uncalled for. We made our endorsement to our political process and we didn't bother them and they shouldn't be harassing our membership over this."

The workers will return to work at 12:01 Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson for Consol said the company is not issuing any comment on the day.

[ej510]

1. Unions understand that repukes hate them.

[Enthusiast]

69. As a gun owner and hunter

I slam the receiver down on the NRA when they call. This has happened so often that they don't seem to be calling me this year. I've listened to their shit before. They are completely unfair to The Democratic Party. They characterize us as rabidly anti gun.

[minnesota_liberal]

85. I keep an air horn by the phone for that

Gives 'em something to remember besides a loud CLICK.

[sasquatch]

89. Same here

:hi:

[Tigress DEM]

92. THANK YOU!

Responsible hunters don't need assault rifles in the hands of criminals anymore than people in cities do.

And with the way the nation has been heading, I am sure glad my son loves to hunt and fish. I may need to move in and get fed. He's a better cook than me too.

[RedLetterRev]

103. As a gun owner

I return their wacko mailings with red ink "You must think I'm as crazy as you are" in their own post-paid envelopes, with "remove me from your list". I've never seen such weird screed, not even coming from posts carried over from the freepersite.

Eff 'em. Let them pay the postage back.

This house is Blue.

[yellowdogdemocrat2]

121. NRA sucks!!!

My husband is a hunter and has several guns. Back when we was repukes he belonged to the NRA. When we seen the light and changed to the democrat party some 20 something years ago. He refused to even buy a magazine that the NRA advertised in. NRA NO WAY!!! My hats off to the coal miners.

[Gman]

70. The unions understand... it's the members that are a problem

fortunately, not so for this UMW local.

[rebel with a cause]

78. You don't want to fool with the UMWA.

My father was a coal miner and a union member. If they are like they use to be, they pretty much hang together and understand their strength is in their unity and their numbers. The strikes of days gone by were often bloody and frightful, and hearing about them as a child made me know that I never wanted to be a scab. Striking miners use to shoot scabs, most of the time they shot at them but sometimes they just shot them. My father use to say that he felt sorry for the scabs because they were desperate for jobs and that was why they crossed the picket lines to take other men's jobs. But they knew what they were doing with they crossed those lines and they knew that the union men would not allow them to take their jobs. The NRA better be glad there was no strike the day they went there and some of those union members were not on a picket line with their rifles as they (NRA) attempted to cross onto mine property. ;)

[Left Brain]

84. Yes and no.

There are plenty of Union leaders in Oregon who think Senator Gordo Smith is their friend.

:puke:

[Mabus]

2. Way to go UMW!

K&R

[Tigress DEM]

94. link to the National to give a pat on the back to the LOCAL 1702!

http://www.umwa.org/index.php?q=content/contact-umwa

[Mabus]

105. What a great idea.

I hadn't thought about sending them a thank you but I will.

[Mabus]

106. fyi, I sent my thanks

It was pretty hard though. I was typing through tears of gratitude.

I can never thank you enough for suggesting that we contact them and express our thanks.

on edit: I posted the articles and the contact information on my facebook page. And because most of my friends are union members (mostly teachers and a couple of union organizers) I encouraged my friends to send their thanks as well.

[blondeatlast]

116. This needs it's own thread; Please start one; it's buried here!

I'm am clicking through now to express my gratitude!

[last1standing]

3. This may be the biggest news I've read this election cycle.

This is Appalachia, folks, and those coal miners are the very last people who are supposed to support Obama - over the NRA no less! I know this is the UMW, but if the workers didn't support this measure the local would have made some token gesture of defiance while snickering behind their hands.

We really may be in for history and I'm loving it!

[blondeatlast]

33. The LW blogs need to be on this; this is the voting bloc they said Obama couldn't reach.

Looks like he most assuredly has reached many of them already.

I'm loving this!

[Voice for Peace]

71. there's something timeless about miners going on strike for a good cause

[RedLetterRev]

102. When Ralph Stanley

a native of coal country, comes out in strong support of Obama, it's pretty clear that the GOP's influence has waned considerably. And that works for THIS hillbilly!

[Stump]

109. I heard Ralph Stanley on the radio...

endorsing Obama and that's BIG around here in southwest VA. I told some guys yesterday "if Obama's good enough for Ralph Stanley, he's good enough for me." They told me I was full of shit, RS would never vote for Obama...then the ad came on, it was Sweet!!!

[RedLetterRev]

112. Oh, I would have paid good money to have seen their faces!

I was raised not far from you, down in West Buncombe, just northwest of Asheville. :hi: neighbor

[Thegonagle]

117. Someone with a few spare minutes and some knowhow should do a wiki edit...

on Wikipedia.org on Ralph Stanley's wiki page to reflect that. There are some news articles out there for necessary citations.

[carnie_sf]

113. Wow

Ralph Stanley supports Obama? I didn't know this. I love the man's music, but thought he would never cross over to the democrats. This is HUGE!

[NatBurner]

4. these are the "working-class white people" Obama supposedly couldn't reach

this has been the best week EVER!

i'm doing a little dance in my office chair :)

[blondeatlast]

14. Exactly--will Tweety eat his words? How can they possibly spin this one? nt

[Coexist]

66. nope. he loves that meme.

[Whisp]

5. this is amazing and wonderful.

this is the kind of bottom up change that Obama is talking about - take back our power.

I lift my hat to all 440 brave ones for doing this.

[TornadoTN]

6. I work in the Energy sector - and heavily in coal, and I can tell you - this is a major, major deal

It's no secret that the executives at the coal plants are feeling suffocated by the sheer weight of the Obama campaign and its connection to the people. Knowing some of the players involved, it doesn't surprise me that the NRA showed up because they are the only people who will do the dirty work without a care.

I can tell you that in my travels, conversations, and dealings with union workers and non-union middle-management types, there is a groundswell of support for Obama in this industry. A lot of it is unspoken or at least quiet, because people don't want to be singled out and discriminated against because of an open support for Obama. These miners already have a giant target painted on their heads just for being in a union. A lot of these same guys are scared to death of what Bush has done to the MSHA and see any control they have over their futures wasting away at the hands of the GOP and more power going to those above them.

You know what they say about once you get into that voting booth, it's just you and the ballot? Nowhere else does this apply more aptly than it does in this area of the world.

*Edited to add- let me also confirm that getting on Consol property essentially takes an act of congress as well as someone to part the Red Sea. Even getting service technicians to their plants for routine work is a major nightmare. So this wasn't just an isolated, random even.*

[nyc 4 Biden]

79. it's the opposite of the Bradley effect.

People shy about supporting Obama in public but who will pull the lever for him in the booth. For some it is hard to stand up against the moronic masses.

[blondeatlast]

7. Every DUer should respond in this thread as a show of solidarity with these

courageous Americans.

This is big, really big.


UMW of West Virginia; I sincerely thank and support you. :patriot:

UNION, YES!

[bread_and_roses]

21. YES! Second that (n/t)

[Fire_brand]

8. Obama should visit them

I know he doesn't have much of a shot in WV, but it would be a nice gesture

[Pirate Smile]

10. That was what I was thinking. I think West Virginia deserves an Obama rally.

A stop to say thank you and emphasize workers and unions sticking together. It could get into how the Corporations screw the workers and try to turn workers - white, black and brown - against each other because when they are united, they can't be stopped.

[NotThisTime]

28. Agreed & Thank you to these workers!

[blondeatlast]

11. This could well change that. UMW has tremendous influence. nt

[Aloha Spirit]

26. +1

[PA Democrat]

30. Great idea. Might pull in some more WV voters and give unions

across the country a boost as well.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

76. Yeah, it would. Folks out there would appreciate being acknowledged

and listened to.

[BonnieJW]

9. Kick

[jberryhill]

12. Remember that idiot that Bush put in charge of mine safety?

I'll bet the miners remember that well.

[blondeatlast]

17. Oh, hell yes--and that was only last year. Even though it wasn't a union mine

the UMW strongly pushed the investigative effort.

This could be a sea change in WV and other heavily mining states; MT, NV, CO, etc.

[kernelfarmer]

13. Solidarity forever! (nt)

[Yuugal]

15. Union Yes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vp_tmExO3k

Which Side Are You On?

by Florence Reese

Come all of you good workers
Good news to you I'll tell
Of how that good old union
Has come in here to dwell

(Chorus)
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?

My daddy was a miner
And I'm a miner's son
And I'll stick with the union
Till every battle's won

They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J.H. Blair

Oh, workers can you stand it?
Oh, tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?

Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Us poor folks haven't got a chance
Unless we organize

[vaberella]

16. Now that's raw. K*R

:kick:

[yellowdogintexas]

18. Way to Go UMW !

Yeah, Obama or Joe ought to be able to make a stop in WVA between PA/OH/VA. That is a tight circle right there if you look at the map. Not to mention all the coalminers from Kentucky that are close by.

Just a nice stop in Charleston, on the way from Ohio to Virginia, maybe?

[Staph]

25. The mine in Blacksville

is about 70 miles due south of Pittsburgh. With all of the campaigning in western PA, it should be easy to make a quick visit there -- and maybe stop by West Virginia University (10-15 miles away), a hotbed of Obama support, according to my nephew, the WVU student.

[glitch]

19. Kicking for the UMW! nt

[ogneopasno]

20. America works best when we say UNION YES!

Solidarity! HELL YEAH!

[Kajsa]

22. To all the brave men of UMW,Local 1702,

Thank You!

:patriot:

[TuxedoKat]

23. Bravo UMW!

I applaud your courage in standing up to Consol and not letting them or the NRA use your membership.

[pklaz96]

24. Proud of the UMW

How difficult it is to stand up for your principles when it hurts in the wallet.
I am proud of every member who stood up this way.
Perhaps this will be the impetus that starts the increase in unions across the country. We have always needed them to protect our interests.

[kentuck]

27. K & R !

For my people!

[BumRushDaShow]

29. Wow! I so wish WV was in play.

:applause:

[blondeatlast]

31. After this, it could be. Still a major uphill struggle, but I wouldn't call it

a red lock anymore, either.

[thewiseguy]

32. Yes we can!

:bounce:

[RayOfHope]

34. Good for you, UMW! n/t

[anonymous171]

35. K&R

:kick: :thumbsup:

[lolamio]

36. Wow. That's truly inspiring. I would love to see this reported in the MSM. n/t

[trashcanistanista]

37. SOLIDARITY! Kicking for it and proud of UMW.

:kick:

[eshfemme]

38. WTF? This is just like Wal-Mart telling middle management

that the Democrats being elected into power would mean that the workers would unionize and kill Wal-Mart.

Mining is already a dangerous job-- the mine owners should have known better than to harass these workers at their job environment. No one wants to have a camera shoved in their face while they're working without warning or permission.

[Redbear]

39. Good for them

I hope we can all follow their example.

[renate]

40. how inspiring!

This is a wonderful story. Good for these brave workers for not letting the mining company get away with trying to dictate their political beliefs. :patriot:

[Barack_America]

41. When will the Republican party stop exploiting our nation's workers?

Good for them for taking a stand.

[msallied]

42. Today was a good day for the American worker!

This is huge news. I'm still optimistic about W.VA swinging blue this year! Come on, Barack! Let's rally in W.VA!!

[Chorophyll]

43. Oh hell yes!

Kicking, recommending, and passing this story on to friends and family. :patriot:

[specialed]

44. Sometimes I'm really proud to be from WV...

this is one of those times! :)

[Peacetrain]

46. Well you should be.. remember it was WV that broke that Catholic barrier

otherwise we would never have had Kennedy in office. :hi:

[blondeatlast]

45. k

[Raster]

47. Thank you United Mine Workers!

Talk about courage!
Wake Up, America!:kick:We Can Do Better!

[blueraven95]

48. proud to k&r this

:patriot:

[Jax]

49. Thank you United Mine Workers of America!!!

Standing up for America!

(great suggestion by blondeatlast to post to this thread to show support for these workers :thumbsup:)

Alyce

recommended, GREAT news, great thread.

[Lugnut]

50. My husband has been a UMWA member for 40 years.

Dist 2 Local 803. He's proud of his union brothers and sisters.

[TheKentuckian]

51. Obama needs to make a stop or two

and send Bubba through as well. I've got a feeling if we can put our thumb on the scale we can being WVA into the fold.

[Hope And Change]

52. K & R!Thanks for posting!

[jjanpundt]

53. Thanks for posting this story!!

[Hubert Flottz]

54. Kick

[JHB]

55. UMWA Sticks Together!

:kick:

[Dem2theMax]

56. As a descendant of more than one ancestor who died in the mines,

I salute these wonderful coal miners.

And I'm kicking the thread for more to read and recommend.

:kick:

[uponit7771]

57. As a gen-x black male this story lets me KNOW we've turned a HUGE PAGE in our countries history.

[petwlkr]

82. Totally agreed!

If you can get 440 middle class, white, West Virginians to walk off their job in support of a black candidate than race is not as big an issue in this campaign as the media would like to have us believe it is.

[blondeatlast]

58. k nt

[guitar man]

59. GO UMWA!!!!

:applause: :bounce:

[RainDog]

60. America needs strong unions

bless them.

[Generic Other]

61. Thanks Union Men and Women

You are the true patriots!

[nam78_two]

62. Recd-go them!

:bounce:

[Lyric]

63. I live in Monongalia County, WV.

Our union miners rock. Give 'em hell, boys.

:patriot: :dem:

[Peacetrain]

67. Hey Monongalia County... You guys are up there on the

Pennsylvania Border aren't ya?? By the way, you guys do rock! :yourock:

[Lyric]

104. Yes indeed we are.

Pennsylvania's border is about seven minutes down the interstate from my house. :hi:

This of course makes me an expert on Pennsylvania state policies.

"I can see Pennsylvania from my house!"

:rofl:

:dem:

[27inCali]

64. Obama's gonna win West Viriginia

I trust the poll numbers coming out right now, I think it might be a %point or two closer than what they are saying, but I think over the next month, with events like this going on, the sate is going to swing more and more to Obama.

Geographically, West Viriginia is pretty surrounded by states polling strong for Obama right now, it's hard to imagine that the polls would not eventually start reflecting that.

[blondeatlast]

65. k

[Forkboy]

68. I can't give this one a K&R fast enough!

:applause:

[Doremus]

72. K&R for solidarity!

THANK YOU UMWA! We stand with you as you with us!

:kick:

[Kurovski]

73. K&R. (nt)

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

74. Obama maybe can take a side trip there and show some solidarity...

Others have suggested that if Obama visits WV it may be enough to make it close. A visit to talk to mineworkers who have supported him would be a nice thing...

[TwilightGardener]

75. Good for them! Hard to intimidate guys who work an inherently dangerous job.

[Laelth]

77. Union YES! n/t

k&r

:dem:

-Laelth

[harmonicon]

80. Hell Yeah!!!

Unions built this country and created the middle class. Good for them for taking a moment to remind people of that, and how they can continue that process through their members role in the democratic process.

[madmax]

81. Bless the Mine Workers and make the mines SAFE

No one should haver to go to work as if they're never coming back. :cry:

[wicket]

83. Give 'em hell!!!!

:woohoo:

[1776Forever]

86. Thank the Lord someone has the guts and smarts to realize Barack is their best hope!

What these hard working people have been through for years with the ultra-rich thieves debilitating the safety of their mines is unbelievable! Thank God they are standing up! You go West Virginians! Do it for your future generations!

[dudewheresmycountry]

87. God Bless em

God Bless them all each and everyone of them and their families as well.

[dudewheresmycountry]

88. God Bless em

God bless them and every member in their family as well

[Oldtimeralso]

90. Thank You UMW LOCAL 1702

For the last 27 years prior to my forced retirement I have been a union representative, local union officer, member of a national bargaining committee, and an international executive board member. The raygun and bushes ( all 3 ghwb, gwb and jMcb)have tried to divide the membership with hot button issues. They have fought to break unions and are close to winning but the response of the Brothers and Sisters of UMW local 1702 brought tears to my eyes. SOLIDARITY FOREVER

[FailureToCommunicate]

91. And I hear Ralph Stanley playing and singin' Solidarity Forever

or maybe Union Maid in the backgound!

[blondeatlast]

93. An "I really, really think we won the day" kick! nt

[happygoluckytoyou]

95. RELATED STORY.... Larry Craig excited to see Republicans soliciting minors ! ! !

[blondeatlast]

96. Grow up. nt

[avaistheone1]

97. Kudos UMWA!!

FU NRA!!!!!!!!!!

[ColbertWatcher]

98. Kick and rec for the miners and so Obama will go visit! n/t

[Boomerwv]

99. Don't write off WV.

This is a state where democrats still outnumber republicans by about 2:1. We have around 3/4 of our state congress held by democrats. The governor is a democrat and so is the AG, and the SOS looks like it will be in the D column again soon. 80% of our congressional delegation are democrats and the single republican member is in the race of her life to keep her seat. THe yellow dogs still reside in the coal fields. The republican party here is entierly disorganized and can barely muster a legit candidate for any state or federal office. Recent polls show the race tightening, as close as 4 points in a poll last week.

Obama could take this state with the right strategy. If he would run ads speaking to his faith to put some minds to rest on that issue he would increase his support.

WV has one of the oldest populations in the country. Obama should run ads here telling about McCains attempts to privatize Social Security and warn that it could be lost just like the 401ks are being lost now.

There are some very popular politicians in this state. Joe Mansion, Alan Mollohan, Nick Rahall, Jay Rockefeller, and most popular and influential, Robert C. Byrd. All have endorsed Obama and all would be happy to campaign for and with him here. None are in real political danger and can use their political capital to help Obama here without having to worry about their own elections too much.

He could also dispatch either of the Clintons here, both of whom are extreemly popular in this state. Biden would also play well here, as would Obama who I had the pleasure to hear speak in WV during the primaries.

With Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina all on the fence or trending Obama, West Virginia is in a prime geographic location to be had. West Virginia is a blue state, plain and simple. It only goes republican in the presidential elections, and only in the past couple eletions has it done so. The people here have been voting democrat all their lives, just give them a reason to now.

[ColbertWatcher]

100. Welcome to DU!

The latest numbers I could find for WV (correct me if I'm wrong) show McCain up by 8% (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/west_virginia/election_2008_west_virginia_presidential_election).

I hope your numbers are more correct than Rassmussen!

[Boomerwv]

118. Here are the numbers I see.

The Rassmussen poll is there, but a CNN poll from the day before shows a 4 point game in WV.

I heard around the end of August that internal polling for democrats was showing us trailing by 7. Obama has gained support everywhere since then, I would expect WV is no differnt.

[ColbertWatcher]

120. I think the link was lost! n/t

[urgk]

101. That made me homesick.

West Virginia has good people. Not the ones the networks interviewed post-primary season who were intellectually and physically like giant dirty babies, but real, genuine, moral people who don't like to be lied to and who won't stand to be manipulated.

I moved away to go to school and then to teach college, but West Virginia is my home.

I miss them.

[Name removed]

107. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lonestarnot]

108. We should follow their example if they pass this bailout shit as is today!

K & R

[Omaha Steve]

110. And still many Democrats hate unions and the $300 they are giving our candidates

To late for an R for my brothers & sisters that work in the Blacksville #2 Mine.

OS

[iamthebandfanman]

111. Good on them!

its about time people started standing up for themselves and not letting these people try to bully you into a position....

show em whos boss!

[Zookeeper]

114. Thank you for your strength and courage, Blacksville workers!

And thanks on behalf of my ancestors who worked in the coal mines, and for those who died in the coal mines, in that part of the country.

Long live the UMWA!

:patriot:

[crispini]

115. Yay for the union man! K&R

[rndmprsn]

119. K&R DAMN STRAIGHT...i support them!

[Raksha]

122. UMW of West Virgina, thank you for being REAL Democrats!!!

[BlackmanX]

123. Don't get this twisted

They didn't do this for Obama they did it for their union or rather the union did it to save face because the last thing any union wants to happen is expose a rift between the leadership and the workers on the ground.