USW Supports Continuing Efforts to Rescue Trapped Utah Miners

[Omaha Steve]

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USW Supports Continuing Efforts to Rescue Trapped Utah Miners

Assails Mine Owner’s Media “Showboating”

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement today in support of continuing efforts to save the six Utah miners trapped since August 6.

“The United Steelworkers stands squarely behind all efforts to rescue the six miners who were buried 1,500 feet down in a cave-in on August 6 at Utah's Crandall Canyon mine, owned by a man who seems to spend more time showboating in front of media, challenging scientists and federal regulators instead of focusing on reaching the trapped miners.

“Mine owner Bob Murray is no stranger to the labor movement. The record shows that when he operated the Maple Creek and High Quality mines in Fallowfield, Pa., his company was repeatedly involved in disputes with state and local officials and received hundreds of safety violations. During one five-year period, his company averaged 500 safety violations a year.

“Now, Mr. Murray makes the bizarre claim that the Utah mine collapse was triggered by a 3.9-magnitude earthquake. Government seismologists say the ground-shaking was caused not by a quake, but the cave-in itself.

“While our thoughts and prayers go out to the trapped miners and their families, we would be remiss in our responsibilities if we do not declare, in our loudest voice, that in order to sustain safe workplaces in the mines and every other place of employment in the nation, workers must have a voice on the job. That voice is strongest when workers join together to form a trade union with democratically elected representatives.

“Accidents may still occur. But if workers are empowered to design safe and healthy work sites through a union, accidents will be far fewer and far less serious. Work should be the place where we go to earn a living; not a place to go to die.”

Contacts

United Steelworkers
Gerald Dickey, 412-562-2281