State AFL-CIO, UMWA stand in solidarity with Harlan miners

From BILL LONDRIGAN

Kentucky State AFL-CIO

Brothers and Sisters

Yesterday we joined the UMWA and UMWA Secretary-Treasurer Levi Allen in holding a rally in support of the miners who have lost their jobs at the Blackjewel mine in Harlan County.

The miners are extremely appreciative of the financial and moral support they have received.  

They have committed to remain at the mine site and block any coal trains from leaving the property for as long as it takes for them to get what they are owed.  

As you probably know, Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy and issued miners cold checks for their last weeks of work, leaving many of them and their families in severe financial stress.  

Members of the community have been bringing food and supplies to the miners and they continue to need financial assistance to get them through this difficult period. 

They have established a bank account for those that would like to send funds.  Checks can be made payable to: “With Love From Harlan” with Coal Miner Fund on the memo line of the check which can be sent to PO Box 1621, Harlan, KY 40831.  

As I mentioned to the miners yesterday, this is another in a long line of coal companies that have declared bankruptcy and have denied miners the wages, health care and pensions they are owed.  With adequate financial assistance these miners can withstand this attack and they value the assistance provided by organized labor.

In Solidarity, Bill