Pittston coal strike wins

Описание: Today in Southern labor history, we remember the Pittston coal strike of 1990.

In the 1980s, Pittston Coal’s profits were declining due to economic factors. To make up their lost profits, the company terminated healthcare for retired miners, reduced healthcare coverage for active miners, and began running their mines seven days a week without overtime pay. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) tried to bargain with the company, but Pittson stayed silent, leaving 1,500 workers without health benefits.

On April 5, 1989, 2,000 workers, mainly in Virginia, walked out of the mines and onto the picket line. The UMWA miners were militant in their resistance, setting up non-violent protests and road blockades. However, some striking miners who were not affiliated with the UMWA used more violent tactics to stop the company from breaking the strike.

Women within the community organized a solidarity group called The Daughters of Mother Jones which organized money and food donations to the miners. On April 18, 1989, 39 women occupied the Pittston Coal headquarters for 36 hours and shut down coal production for nearly two days. In February 1990, the miners’ tactics brought Pittston Coal to the bargaining table, where they won back health benefits.

Going on strike, like the UMWA miners did, requires us to organize together and have the courage to stand up to our bosses and big corporations who often only see us workers as a means to make profits.

Whether it’s a coal company or Waffle House, we only get what we’re organized to take.