WV Coal Miners stay home from work to protest NRA anti-Obama visit to mines

[tannybogus]

Blacksville #2 Mine Idle After 440 Workers Stay Home
UMWA Workers Took Memorial Day in Protest

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.

video: http://boomboxradio.net/?Fileld=121236_wboy

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=44752

Whoa!! Made the WV miners mad. They went with the union and Obama and not the NRA.

[ogneopasno]

1. Well done, miners!

I salute them.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. really, does the NRA think, with all the problems going on in the world

that Obama gives two shits about caring about their little pet issue?

[AndyTiedye]

9. The NRA Salivates Over McCain's Promise of 100 Years of WAR

Sorry hunters, the Army is a bigger customer than you are, especially when they've got a war on.

[ClayZ]

3. Yay, Miners!

K and R

[Lugnut]

All right!

Solidarity!

[Diogenes2]

4. Heroes!

Thanks, guys!

[grantcart]

5. and WV inches closer and closer to going Obama

I love these guys

[Birthday]

6. Anyone who is strong enough

to work in those mines, toughing it out in difficult conditions day after day, isn't going to let anyone disrespect him or her. These people were absolutely right to stand together and support the union. Without their union, those miners would be in worse conditions, facing more deaths and accidents than they do now. I commend each one who chose the union. I hope they will have a refreshing, well-deserved rest today! Today should be Miners' Day at DU.

[dgibby]

7. As a Va Tech fan,

I never thought I'd ever say this, but

GO MOUNTAINEERS!!! YEA!:toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :yourock: :headbang:
K&R

[Rambis]

8. Union yes! good show boys! (nm)

[wvbygod]

10. Obama must now make sure WV coal is phased out reasonably

And not cut off coal before we have jobs for these miners. They trust Obama to do what is right.

[bertman]

11. Here's to ya, Mountaineers!!! You guys make me proud of America!!