Aug 9 Economy “Bloody Harlan” Revisited: Blackjewel Miners Draw On Labor History While Facing Uncertain Future Curtis Cress sat in the gravel beside a railroad track in Harlan County, Kentucky. Tall and thin with a long, black beard, Cress is every bit a coal miner, or, he was until a month ago. “It’s part of my heritage, you know? My dad and papaws had always done it,” he said. “And I’m […] By Sydney Boles Aug 9 Economy “Bloody Harlan” Revisited: Blackjewel Miners Draw On Labor History While Facing Uncertain Future Sydney Boles
Oct 19 Economy Pensions At The Polls: Will Concern Over Shaky Plans Show Up On Election Day? Thousands of union coal miners and their families gathered this summer in Columbus, Ohio, wielding signs and wearing camouflage United Mine Workers of America shirts. UMWA President Cecil Roberts led the crowd in a call-and-response chant. “I want you to send a loud, clear signal that we are one! We are one!” But the miners […] By Becca Schimmel Oct 19 Economy Pensions At The Polls: Will Concern Over Shaky Plans Show Up On Election Day? Becca Schimmel
Dec 13 Economy Miners’ Pensions A Major Part Of Spending Debate Retired union coal miners are joining teamsters, iron workers and other union retirees in an effort to shore up their ailing pension plans, and they hope the ticking clock on a government spending bill will help. Some Democrats want to see protections for retirement benefits included in the omnibus spending bill, which Congress must pass […] By Becca Schimmel Dec 13 Economy Miners’ Pensions A Major Part Of Spending Debate Becca Schimmel
Oct 4 Economy Bipartisan Bill Would Prop Up Coal Miners’ Pensions A bipartisan Congressional group from the Ohio Valley and beyond introduced a new bill to save pensions for retired union coal miners throughout the region. The American Miners Pension Act, or AMP, would secure pensions for about 43,000 miners in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia whose retirement benefits have been undermined by the decline of […] By Becca Schimmel Oct 4 Economy Bipartisan Bill Would Prop Up Coal Miners’ Pensions Becca Schimmel