Hard Times for Organized Labor in Appalachia

Richard Simon examines the relationship between the UMW and coal mine operators in Appalachiafrom 1974 to the present. Simon identifies a sharp break, following the 110-day strike of 1977-8, from a period with workers on the offensive to one of disillusionment and of defensive actions. In this latter period, management has obtained a substantial number of take-aways during contract negotiations. They have also, with mixed success, promoted the ideology of worker-management cooperation. Simon discusses in detail the forces working for and against such cooperation.Simon also analyzes the shift from union to non-union mining in Appalachia. This shift is not, as commonly believed, due to the growth of western strip-mining. Rather, it is due to increased strip-mining of eastern coal and to geographical shifts of mining away from traditionally unionized areas. However, new factors have entered in the 1980s that Simon feels could threaten the very existence of the UMW. Provisions of the 1981 contract allow union companies to start separate non-union operations. In addition, non-union mines have been opened in traditionally unionized areas. The response, Simon argues, should be a major UMW campaign to organize the unorganized.