RobenaUMWA uses anniversary to talk safety
The United Mine Workers of America use the annual anniversary of the Robena Mine disaster as a platform to keep miners’ health issues before the public. The ceremony Monday marking the 42nd year since 37 men were killed in an explosion of the mine near Carmichaels was no exception. UMWA leader Edward D. Yankovich reminded the crowd that the miners’ deaths, linked to a buildup of coal dust and methane gas, led to federal legislation setting standards for allowable coal dust in mines.
But as Dan Kane, the incoming secretary-treasure of the UMWA international, warned, the fight for mine safety is ongoing. Once again, coal dust is at issue. The Bush Administration is pushing to increase the amount of allowable dust, which miners fear will drive up the risks of contracting black lung disease just so the mines can turn larger profits.
The current measurements were set following extensive negotiations between the union and mining concerns and have some basis in science.
While it is doubtful that the Mine Safety Health Administration would ever relax standards to where another Robena is possible, an explosion cutting short the lives of 37 pales with the thousands of miners killed one by one from black lung disease. If unions still have any role left it is the one that created them – protecting the health and welfare of workers. The UMWA must stay on top this.