Justice in the Coalfields

Anne Lewis. 1995. 3/4" U-matic.
Justice in the Coalfields demonstrates how current labor law has crippled the collective bargaining power of unions and weighed the scales of justice against working people. The documentary follows the 1988 United Mine Workers strike against the Pittston Coal Company that followed the expiration of their contract and Pittston's termination of the medical benefits of 1,500 pensioners, widows, and disabled miners. Justice in the Coalfields documents the community-wide outrage that Pittston's violation of a long-standing social contract ignited. The film captures events in southwestern Virginia - the heart of the strike and a right-to-work state - showing hundreds of state troopers escorting “replacement workers” through the picket lines. The film captures union members, their families and friends responding with mass civil disobedience that resulted in over 4,000 arrests, as well as state and federal judges reacting with injunctions and fining the UMWA more than $64 million. These events are given context through conversations with the rank-and-file, a federal judge, a public interest lawyer, the coal company president, and the public affairs director of the National Right to Work Committee for a clear-eyed look at the strike's social, cultural, and economic impact on coalfield communities.
“A compelling, timely, and important documentar. A must-see for anyone interested in one of the most important labor struggles of recent years.”- George Meany Center for Labor Studies
“A provocative program that should be seen widely … a lawyer cannot come away from the film without some sense that the issues of justice and and law are ambiguous, that justice and law are at best distant cousins.”- Washington and Lee University
“Excellent organizing tool, especially for bringing disparate groups together.”- West Virginia Civil Liberties Union
“After witnessing this spectacle of pain and hardship, one wonders why there isn’t more violence on the part of the workers and the mountain people of the coalmining region.”- University of Minnesota
All films in the Appalshop collection are protected under Title 17 of the United States Copyright Law. The unauthorized distribution or public performance of copyrighted works constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, Title 17 U.S Code Section 106(3)-(4). This conduct may also violate the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and The Universal Copyright Convention, as well as bilateral treaties with other countries that allow for protection of Rights Holder copyrighted works even beyond US borders. To receive rights for public performance of our works, including educational or institutional licensing, please contact Appalshop Sales to complete the purchase at 606-633-0108 or [e-mail].
You can learn more about Appalshop and our work at www.Appalshop.org

[@bobbystruggle3658]

Not a coal miner by any stretch of the imagination but as a 30 year machinist this is crazy, we’re talking about some of the hardest working people and totally deserve to be compensated by these companies. This is a perfect example of greed for profit instead of taking care of the people responsible for it, I know all the Machinists I’ve talked to stand by y’all brothers.

[@barnacles62]

My great great grandfathers come from Bohemia in the late 1800s. They were sworn in and went to Baltimore Md. to work textiles. They saved and then bought land on the eastern shore to farm because in Bohemia all you could do id lease land. It led to my grandfather which farmed, worked the water haul seining, oystering and crabbing. He bought one of the first corn pickers in the area and people hired him to cut their crops. He later bought a tavern and my grandmother, and aunts and an uncle all worked it. I don't remember a lot of what he said, but I'll never forget him telling all us grandkids one Christmas after a cousin told him all he wanted to do was work the water, but it was starting to look bad, but he was NEVER leaving the eastern shore. He said I'll tell you as my grandfather told me, geography does not feed your family. If you live in a place that does not serve you, leave, because it's a big world and somewhere out there will. NEVER put all your eggs in one basket, if you drop it or its stolen, all's gone. He used the advice of Einstein, insanity is trying the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. I have lived his words, and I have let places and jobs go, but it has always been better for me....

[@user-xd1gt9if2v]

Wow awesome

[@howlinwulf]

Corporate greed has spread everywhere. No mom and pops stores we are ruined.

[@dmcnamara9859]

Don't forget Walmart started from nothing. Mom and pop stores have failed in this country because they failed to recognize private sector economy is driven on price/ customer service. The small pop/ mom that still thrive offer alternating near loss leader products for sale to drive traffic and customer service.

[@curtvona4891]

I was a union coal miner from PA. Some of our local members and I went down to Pittston. It was an honor to support the workers. Thank you for this.

[@coalminersdaughter]

God bless you for coming down here in ‘89!

[@curtvona4891]

@@coalminersdaughter We were treated very kindly. It was a great experience. Take care.

[@appalshop]

Thanks so much for your story! It makes our work more meaningful. --Rachel

[@curtvona4891]

@@appalshop Thank you for all you do!

[@Rick-kk4yy]

Gail Gentry the first person in this video is he related to Tim Gentry of Gentry and son's trucking ?

[@T-mu2hk]

When you threaten a man's livelihood and expect he won't become violent you are either a fool or evil take your pick.

[@burtbrooks7731]

Amen to that 💪

[@joesanders652]

I got a question was the lines not stopping the truckers from making a living ? I dont know i think its just a hard matter for all

[@T-mu2hk]

@joesanders652 yes goes for anyone threaten their livelihood and then depend on their self discipline when they see their children going without you are an idiot. A man will bear singally what he will never bear for his children.

[@endzonebob]

Not either or..they are evil fools.

[@pondzischeme6430]

History of black America

[@user-xc5es2ut7t]

Miners set the stage for this nation's growth. They were treated like disposable tools by the companies as they risked their lives EVERY DAY to get the job done. From this U.S. Marine.......I offer EACH OF YOU a firm hand Salute and thank you.

[@Slick-vo9hp]

Great country am I right? sad that it gets worse by the day, country is on the decline on every level and front and there’s no end in sight, all while the population is either brainwashed and complacent with what’s happening or the other half is to scared or ignorant to try and fix things.

[@garymanning62]

Hazard ky. I seen it with obunga. Now obiden.

[@garymanning62]

Well its dixies turn now. Smike.

[@secretstravel]

Firm handshakes all around.

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

​@@Slick-vo9hptake hope. The kids are alright. They're smarter than we give them credit for.

[@727Md-The-Eastside-Duck]

Not a miner but us IBB Boilermakers have always stood with our UMWA brothers & sisters. IBB local 533 Hagerstown, Maryland.

[@BndK44]

17:44….. I don’t know if anyone will read this or even comment. I was the trooper on the left that comes into the picture. I’m last seen at about 17:53. I was a 21 year old rookie at the time and only out of the academy for 3 months. This was the last thing I wanted to be involved in. I talked to a senior trooper and explained to him that both my father and grandfather were miners and I just couldn’t be here. Luckily I was sent back to my station and troop. The way the miners were treated by the VSP still sickens me to this day.

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

At least you had some kind of heart. Hope you kept that during your career and weren't a jackboot thug.

[@CreakyCricket]

You did good.

[@gabrielwatson7721]

Thank you for your service and integrity, Sir. You picked the right side of Justice at that time. No one can fault a man for standing up for what he believes in. I thank your family for helping to carry this Great Country on their backs. 🙏👍💪

[@MrCtsSteve]

Good on you 👍

[@klmullins65]

No animosity brother, you were doing your job, like a soldier does. Iʻm sure there were plenty of your fellow Troopers whoʻs hearts were conflicted over what was going on.

[@joelmcfarland5153]

Simple question: “Which side are you on?” ✊

[@AsphaltMan11]

In 1989 I was on my way to Marine Corps boot camp, I was out of options, I was married with a child and couldn't find a job bagging groceries, I lived in So. WV, heart of the coal fields and couldn't buy a job, this was the worst time period since the formation of the UMWA, and it's never been the same, talk to boys who worked at Patriot Coal, history repeats itself. Side note: I was blessed enough to know Elaine Purkey personally and sang with her on several occasions, sadly she's went home to be the the Lord, she was Union til the day she died.

[@mazzy_moon3061]

my mommy was apart of the senior class who protested in front of clintwood court house, she told me about it my whole life growin up. i’m so so glad i’ve got video footage of it now

[@appalshop]

It's always amazing for us to hear stories of seeing family in our footage. Thank you for sharing! --Rachel

[@gailgentry9629]

I can't believe that was over 36 years ago .Thanks to Anne for making this film.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

Crazy I'm 36 April 1st 1988

[@tomphillips2608]

Grandfather was a union coal miner in Pa. Died early with 1/16 lung capacity. My mother and my two Aunts had to supplement his care as his benefits were whittled away. Now, I'm a retired union grocery worker. 45 years at Safeway. If the Kroger -Albertsons merger goes through, my healthcare benefits and pension will go into some rich crooks stock fund.

[@deborahchesser7375]

It’s hard to believe that it’s legal to take benefits away from people that worked their lives away for these greedy companies.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@deborahchesser7375 The 'govmint' is the best at that of everybody!

[@coalminersdaughter]

Thanks so much for making this available! My Dad was 1 of the 99 at Moss 3. I was in the UMWA student auxiliary during the ‘89 strike. One of the best real life educations I ever received.

[@appalshop]

You're very welcome! Thanks so much for sharing your story--it makes our work so much more meaningful. --Rachel

[@Joey-hd6lh]

My father was also one of the first ones to go into moss 3 prep plant. His name was Rick Blaylock, we lived in Boone county,WV

[@coalminersdaughter]

@@Joey-hd6lh I remember that last name. I am sure my Dad and your Dad met!

[@Joey-hd6lh]

@@coalminersdaughter Yes, I'm sure they did.

[@SongsForLifeLLC]

My dad was part of the Dirty Dozen, the first 12 that went in The Moss 3 Brigade. Solidarity forever! Thank you for sharing. I have the plaque that was given to him and the others who were part of the Dirty Dozen.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

My great grandfather was a cole miner my grandpa has a picture of him and his union in front of the mine hanging in the dining room thanks for sharing

[@TAllyn-qr3io]

“Right to Work” - U.S. right-to-work laws do not aim to provide a general guarantee of employment to people seeking work but rather guarantee an employee's right to refrain from being a member of a labor union. Corporations and other employers use it as: if they have a right to work…then we have the right to fire them. All it is happens to be anti-union and make sure people know which side has the power.

[@PatrickBaptist]

I love having the right not to be FORCED into a union or pay union dues, I keep to keep more of my check. I wouldn't care live in a state that wasn't otherwise. Unions have made sure to run jobs off to other countries.

[@robertesposito9871]

Two jobs I would never consider 1) a coal miner 2) Bearing Sea Crabber

[@rabbit9360]

U could still be a male giggalo!

[@Brando-UK]

If you lived in this area and wanted your children to have a better life and your wife able to not work and stay home and raise your kids and have a comfortable life you may revisit what you wouldn’t consider.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Bering*

[@mikebuzzard2926]

If the police arresting people on the picket line are just doing their jobs as they are told to do, lost their Healthcare or wages were cut, how would they react?

[@alwaysready4017]

It’s apples and oranges. One is always going to be their because it’s tax dollar and the other is a private faction that has ti make money to operate . They should have joined the police or military.

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

lol they would cry and beg the public for money, the public that they harass and literally extort 😅

[@thenonchalant172]

Call it your job don't make it right boss

[@coltonbunch16]

My grandfather was born in 1910 and worked in the coal mines his entire life. He ended up dying from blacklung. He tried to get benefits so he didn't have to worry about his wife and 8 kids. He died with nothing except worry. My grandmother got his black lung check after he died. I'm happy she at least got help, but I wish he had the peace of mind before dying at 59 years old.

[@mascara1777]

I'm so sorry 😢

[@howlinwulf]

I love our country life!!! Im proud of you boys, nerves of steel!!!

[@uglahhmane]

Absolutely incredible documentary. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheMountainman211]

Solidarity forever

[@andrewdickerson849]

Solidarity forever!

[@PaintballerChastO]

My grandfather was apart of the strike and my grandmother was arrested with the other wives blocking the entrance to the mine.

[@DOWNTOWN_AUDIO]

I was a construction worker for 5 years until i injured my shoulder at 18. Manual labor is a good way to make a good living in canada, oilfield, construction, logging, etc. I cant work now, and the company fucked me over and got away with it. I could live with the anger inside of me if i thought i could carry on living. But i cant tolerate doing nothing. I have too much time to reflect.

[@MistaTea247]

Wish politicians would look out for miners not just minors on an island somewhere

[@Dr_GraysGhost_420]

One backs the Unions.. one doesn’t.. I’m sure you like the one that hates unions

[@MistaTea247]

@@Dr_GraysGhost_420 I’m sure you like teacher’s unions.

[@Dr_GraysGhost_420]

@@MistaTea247 I didn’t know they had unions

[@MistaTea247]

@@Dr_GraysGhost_420 if you’re serious, I’ll leave it at the fact that just like every government program that never goes away is an easy target for exploitation. God bless.

[@MistaTea247]

@@Dr_GraysGhost_420 what if I told that you the teachers union is the biggest union in North America.

[@esquad5406]

Federal officers used as STRIKE BREAKERS! In Kentucky if you work as a strike breaker you never carry a badge the rest of your life.

[@JayZee-lo8qy]

Maybe 100 years ago. They can stomp us all they like now. Cops do dirty shit on the usual and as soon as they’re caught they just get shifted to another department. We have no rights anymore or have you not realized the Patriot Act was passed two decades ago now? Notice there are few unions anymore, all those jobs got shipped off to other countries where they don’t have labor laws. Why do you think we don’t have mining, manufacturing, oil drilling, small business???? It’s because you democrat voting morons thought you were going to get something for free or make more money, all you did was lose everyone’s jobs. All you did was put yourself out of work. We are a nation of slaves now. Elections are rigged, media is complete propaganda. It’s over. It’s been over. The US as we knew it died long ago

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

And the union did nothing for my grandpa when he died, career coal miner, loyal to the union, died of a heart attack and because that wasn’t a job related death they took his pension and pocketed it.

[@boknows3841]

These people don't know what hard times are. It's because of what my grandparents did 70 years ago that you have what you have today. And these G.D. kids gives it all up just for another $1 in their paycheck an hour. And when you get sick and when you get ol, you will understand what gave up and why it was so important. The company will replace you with a Machine that doesn't eat, drink, or have kids. The poor become poorer and the rich people just get richer and the chosen few that gets a job in the mine forget about the people who sacrificed to get what they got.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

@@boknows3841 unions don’t care about anyone just as the company doesn’t

[@justing6594]

Neither one exists without the worker! 🤷‍♂️

[@moeji1]

Southwest Va., Northeast Tennessee, Western N.C., and Southeastern Ky., are the stepchildren of each of their States.

[@coalminersdaughter]

Truth!

[@terryt2728]

You're just going to leave WV out like that??

[@Arginne]

Yea, Appalachia…

[@burtbrooks7731]

Man oh man that’s some beautiful bluegrass pickin❤❤❤

[@terrybennett5576]

I've worked both union & non union throughout my 66 years, without union representation workers are just an unnecessary evil to the companies/ corporations/ business. We are expendable without proper compensation without unions.

[@audreyboggs5809]

Love the videos, thank you

[@appalshop]

Glad you like them! --Rachel

[@klmullins65]

My maternal great grandfather, Simeon Acuff Keller, was the UMW President of District 19 (Tennessee and Kentucky) during the 1910s -1920s, probably the most thankless job in America at the time, apart from being an actual coal miner, which my paternal grandfather and great grandfather were, right there in S.W. Virginia. My grandfather was injured when a huge rock fell on him in the Stonega Mine in Virginia, but he did recieve some money that he was able to put to use to help support his family. My great grandfather died not long after being severely injured in the mine…I believe he was struck by a rail car or something, i canʻt quite remember right off top of my head. My family was 100% miners and shiners!

[@jimsnyder6187]

God Bless All Union Workers. God Damn All Right to Work Laws!!!!!!

[@bradforddeel1299]

I was a kid living in Haysi when this happened, but my father was a miner with black lung disease who passed away few yrs before this went down. I remember picking up jackrocks all the time lol.

[@CraigStCyrPlus]

Bascom. What a name.

[@ftargr]

thank you

[@affalada6868]

Im a 24 year member of the ibew and i remember years ago we were struggling to fund our pension due to new federal regulations and then were begging for 5 dollars a year raise and medical kept going up. And my BA stood up and told the body we would take a pay cut before we cut benefits owed to our retired brothers! Families live together stand together and die together!!!

[@learningguitarmwl3223]

My grandpa and my dad both died from black lung, working in the mines of Southern West Virginia. I went to school and got my miners card. Couldn't get a job back then ,the mines were booming so most didn't want red hats which were new guys who had never mined. So I never tried again

[@MatthewCaudill]

I watched a documentary that y’all made a few years ago that I would love to have a link to. I believe it was called “blood stained coal”. It was about the scotia mine explosion disaster. If there’s anyway I could have a permanent copy of that, I would love that!! Thanks.

[@appalshop]

@MatthewCaudill Sure thing! That was a film made by youth in our 2000 cohort of the Summer Documentary Institute. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZfWZKJ9aZqlbNUfeature=shared --Rachel

[@MrCtsSteve]

Solidarity forever.

[@starwarsmcu-og6109]

My Papaw was a UMWA organizer and member from around 1932-33 until he passed in 2007. He was born in 1916 worked 32 inside and drove a coal truck 12 more. Remember this strike my Papaw hated that company man Odom.😂😂 Lee Co.Virginia says hello

[@deathbeforeslavery3582]

I grew up in southern West Virginia during this time and I can remember how the miners would throw jack rocks in the road and throw lit road flares into loaded train cars to keep the company from running coal during the strike.

[@ChudActual]

My grandpa was one of the troopers there he used to talk about how much he didn’t want to be there.

[@deborahchesser7375]

The way the coal companies exploited the miners and the land is just sickening.

[@rabbit9360]

You wanted to keep using electricity…..that’s where it comes from son.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@rabbit9360 industry would have had a hell of a time producing anything without power generated from coal. Where were they going to get electricity from ?

[@rabbit9360]

@@deborahchesser7375 coal powers the world baby!

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@rabbit9360 hell yeh, has for years and still does way more than the EPA want’s to admit. I road into a deep mine on the Jeep once, man that roof going by your head from 6” away is crazy. You stick your arm out or god forbid your head ? That’s all she wrote. it’s claustrophobic as a Mofo in there too, man I’ll never go back in one. And to think those guys do it day in day out

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@rabbit9360 I did haul it for a few years until it faded away, along with a lot of driving jobs. I gotta admit driving that Mack during those mid 80’s summers was a hell of a good time and a huge learning experience. That straight pipe sounded good singing it’s song.

[@Halcyon1861]

I'm from North Carolina and I would never live in Virginia. I have various reason here's one of them. I worked with a retired Virginia State Police for 10 years. He told me that on Memorial Day weekend when they set up their speed enforcement, they had a quota. The quota started at one mile per hour over the speed limit and for every mile per hour over the speed limit there was another one to check off. One mile per hour over the speed limit...

[@Arginne]

Good bro. I live in Florida now where the road laws aren’t enforced and it’s terrifying. At least they enforce sh-t in Virginia so it’s not a lawless sh-thole like Florida. Also, no one asked for your opinion or asked for you to live there 😂 *no one asked* I literally never once saw a crime perpetrated in Virginia and the law did not fck around!

[@robertorrison6664]

I was there with Johnny Cox

[@coronavirusjones321]

I remember the strikes at pittston and the other mines in 88-89 the Virginia state police were running roadvlocks because they hired scab truck drivers to haul coal. This was on 60 minutes I recorded it. I love the bond the mountain folk have. I'm a born and raised Virginian.

[@johncothren8861]

They did the same in Britain, coal miners going to support a strike. The government set up a perimeter of roadblocks, miners were identified by the scars on their hands having coal dust tattoos were turned away.

[@bretmartin2826]

I worked underground for 15 yrs. Mentioning going union was a big no no

[@TheCfrazier]

Great-grandson of a Logan County Wv coal miner here.

[@swordstoplowshares628]

So am I. Mom was born in Chapmanville.

[@TheCfrazier]

Howdy, my dad grew up in the rock house in Logan and my mother was born Welch. My Great Grand Father was the first Black man buried at Madison cemetery.

[@user-dt2wv4nh1c]

Same here, Wyoming county WV

[@bensanders7392]

How much salary did a coal miner make( in the south) in the 1980s, as opposed to a miner in the north where there are still unions and union shop/ membership requirements as condition for employment?? Was it enough to get by in those days or to live comfortably in the 1980s....

[@user-xn1mp1wq3r]

I worked for clinchfield coal company yellan branch my dad worked

[@RunIt615]

My pappaw homer huffstutler worked those mines for 40 years starting in the 1930’s. Wise Co VA

[@davidarnold9117]

NALC Branch 389, Letter Carriers stand in solidarity with all union brothers and sisters.

[@billbrown6487]

This is no different but on a much smaller scale of self checkout at stores! It’s big brother cutting cost to put more money in their pockets while the man that is working to make them their millions is kept a pauper

[@justing6594]

Yup! And everybody gripes about it. And says there not gonna use it. Then time passes on and it's normal now and people use them.

[@billbrown6487]

@@justing6594 not me brother! I’ll never use them.

[@jerrycarmody6717]

What was the reason a lot of them were wearing camo?

[@BlackMan614]

The story never told is the UMW had bled the system dry during decades of labor agreements with the BCOA. By the time the 90s, coal prices had declined to the point where it just wasn't profitable and the companies were saddled with legacy costs which they could not afford. Bankruptcy was really the only option. Soon after the strike, PIttston sold off all of its coal properties. Could have saved themselves the drama by just shutting down and selling off the assets. I guess give them some credit. They broke one of the most corrupt unions in the history of organized labor.

[@christophereichten9005]

Nowadays all you good mountain would run anyone out of the county that even spoke of a union. Your fathers would hate you.

[@ClockworkGFX]

They've forgot where they came from and now the boomers and GenXers that take the blood and tears that their daddies and granddaddies spilled for them for granted are trying to sell their soul for a fleeting chance at fools gold they'll never get.

[@user-um5or4bu5g]

awesome

[@Eastky23wildlife]

My dad was union and my grandfather was non union.

[@Jay-xe6jf]

I worked underground too

[@randomoldguy3967]

The owners only know one way to run a mine..no union protection, lax safety standards, low pay, and no insurance.

[@user-zd9ex2bn7q]

This is all the results of living in a fallen world God bless them

[@printisdead1983]

As a kentuckian who moved to Virginia for a couple years, i came runnin back Virginia work laws are GARBAGE ,thing is, now our Commonwealth is now adopting their ways, in fact they passed a bill in kentucky to where they arent obligated to give you brakes by law anymore it was carrol county VA sylvatus my ex girlfriends grandfather was a coal miner and i think he was a lead union person or something, the way she talked he was some big wig it was interesting

[@youngolf1]

The shame of Right to Work….pathetic

[@TheREVIEWGUY1-ip1wm]

Agree it's disgusting right to work states Oklahoma,Texas,Kansas, Mo,Texas,most disgusting

[@Tennessee_Jon]

As a member of IUOE local 25 I’m not much to happy with having to spend money but when a dredge goes on the rail for repairs they keep me working either decking on a tug or welding on another dredge. So it’s kinda mixed feelings about unions.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

The folks did what they needed to do. NO, there is no justice for the little man..........YET, but it's on the way.God is still on the throne.

[@boknows3841]

Workmen compensation would have to pay you for the rest of your life. Union benefits UMWA would have to take care of you because one crooked coal operator is not the whole industry. It's your buddies that will suffer the most. My grandfather's worked for R&P coal since they were 8 years old The child labor laws were a joke. When my grandfather broke his back and couldn't work he had to go on relief. In the 70s when they came out with the black lung my grandfather didn't want it because he thought it was just another forum of public assistance. My grandparents went thru he'll. After a lifetime of work and service in two world wars my grandfather died in 1987 with 17000 in a box and half of a old coal mining company house and if it was not for black lung he would not have had anything. Working the high coal never paid anything except just enough money to live.

[@alwaysready4017]

Why do people think a private company owes them a job?

[@paladin556]

I don't get it. Damn this company for giving us low pay and bad benefits. Then the next sentence is those are our jobs. We will fight for them. Lol. I'm in a Union and they hold me back. They have their place in some circumstances but overall I could do without them.

[@user-be1zj7qe6x]

Private company needs workers to make money and it’s the only job that pays a livable wage in the area

[@ricksmith9256]

Because the system is made in such a way that you must be a consumer with some form of income in order to get basic necessities. If you don't have a job then you can't survive. In the same way, if people don't survive then they can't spend their incomes on the products and services offered by the aforementioned companies who use all the consumers' time and labor. The companies don't owe them a job technically. But they have made circumstances where they are the only game in town so what are you gonna do? Become amish and be totally self-sufficient to survive? Yeah sure, everyone is gonna get right on that... so we are expected to make an income to feed ourselves and pay taxes and give all our money to these giant corporations, but they don't owe us anything? Even though we are the source of all their labor and revenue? Sounds like we are getting raped.

[@leonardryan8723]

Hear a song 🎶 Celtic Thunder Working man and Whiskey 🥃 in the Jar 🫙 go with the coal 😊.

[@printisdead1983]

Ive been tryin to find the Internet version of this applshop for a long time did it used to be called something else i think it had another name i just kept seein it on ket all the time and love ever doc they make

[@Doug-oh2jy]

Same here. We watch every Appalshop documentary we could get on KET.

[@printisdead1983]

@@Doug-oh2jy it was like whitesshop or something I know it's in whitesburg

[@Doug-oh2jy]

@printisdead1983 yes it is... right in town next to a big creek. They got hit with a bad flood over there a few years ago and the films they had archived were damaged. I think they sent a refrigerated tractor trailer in to pick up the films and they were sent to a conservator to try and save them. Never heard anything else after that

[@johnnorman7708]

Ludlow. Never forget.

[@boknows3841]

If you think that these miners have it rough today. Just remember that the first two PA state troopers to die in Pennsylvania died one mile away from my house in Florence/ Anita PA. The black hand society killed them because the miners here didn't take any guff. Everyone got screwed when they closed the mine and re opened it non union. Owed my soul to the company store. I just baked Pagac. Pagac is bread dough and cheese and potatoes with bacon grease and butter. It's what you made when you had no money and no food in the cupboard. No one makes it anymore because people have money now. Everyone misses eating it but no one will pay you to make it for them because they ate it for free when they were kids and their parents had to pay the bill or stand in line for the government cheese. How, many of you even know what government cheese is?

[@Geloskeelo]

Government cheese is nasty would never touch it again. At the time it was like gold.

[@briargoatkilla]

Half this country lives on government cheese.

[@OliverDiGeronimo009]

Lots of cool old stuff here. How old are most of these films?

[@appalshop]

We've been around making movies since 1969 with 55 years worth of movies - Aaron

[@OliverDiGeronimo009]

@@appalshop wow. Is this channel for archive purposes?

[@bvillebobcat4305]

Evil people and their money…. thats all they care about is money. Not whats right, only money. What a sad life that must be.

[@millierockin1949]

"The major battlefront in Appalachia has been the coal mines. Since the mines first opened, the minors have been engaged in a fierce and bitter conflict with the coal companies, their political lackeys their gun thugs and sometimes the UNSA military. There have been numerous deadly battles and many outstanding proletarian heroes like Mother Jones and Harry Simms, have arisen. The Appalachian Proletariat, as it's history shows, has always been willing to pick up the gun to protect what belongs to it, and this militancy continues today!"

[@jeremylamovsky3669]

My family used to mine in the British owned mines in Wales. Had a relative get killed. Owners gave his wife the equivalent of $25 bucks and evicted them from their company-owned home. Came over here...and went back to mining 😂. Palmyra, Ohio.

[@affalada6868]

Ask a man for a job If he says no Ask the man for bread If he says no TAKE THE BREAD HE HAD THE CHANCE TO DO WHATS RIGHT

[@TheREVIEWGUY1-ip1wm]

Right to work states keep the little man down.disgusting

[@beaugodwin7306]

If all these great men knew the whole south was right to work now days they'd roll over in their grave!

[@Pinman376]

I was an underground miner I was a shooter man then went on a roofbolter.

[@MrCtsSteve]

Right to work for less

[@alphonsotate2982]

My heart and love go to these people "they keep our lights on ' '

[@robertdavis6708]

38.00 scabs talking smack against the UMWA unions. I worked in a steel mill that shut down in 2005 because of a union disagreement. We always figured out a fair contract and life went on. But this company had Scabs-R-Us contacted in advance to take our jobs. All this stoppage to break our benefit package. Our union members paid in a 1,350,000,000.00, that's right, billion dollars for our retirees benefits. Our Steel Mill co. squandered millions of dollars buying corporate jets and blowing money buying insurance companies. And a Company that went bankrupt. When was the last time one heard of an insurance co. going bankrupt? These companies in the USA do not care for any employ after they are maimed and crippled from hard back braking work.

[@Brando-UK]

UMWA may have won the battle with the Pittston strike but in the end they lost the war. This strike is when Cecil Roberts became known and eventually become UMWA National President. He thought the UMWA had the same power today as they did back then. Ask the UMWA what happened to them in Alabama when they went up against the Warrior Met Coal. The UMWA got their backs broke in that one. Stayed on strike for 2 years with the end nowhere in sight and Cecil sent a letter to Warriors president saying they would go back to work with no new contract. I guess the slogan “1 day longer” didn’t apply in this strike.

[@georgeedwards5468]

Right to work should be illegal all over. These suits make me sick they don’t mind living the life of Riley off the broke backs of miners

[@printisdead1983]

42:51 im pretty sure thats the same lawyer from the qild and wonderful whites of west Virginia, its like 20 to 25 years later hes older and has a mustache, im pretty sure thats him

[@joeysingletary2943]

A movie was made about this holly hunter was in it and Ted Levine

[@Jimmy-Legs]

Where are all the anti union folks at.

[@terriecotham1567]

I remember a few years back those in DC were slapping each other on the back after passing a new bill into law. It gave Tax breaks or cash helping busness move out of the US. They prase and bragg how this was going to give jobs to people and rase there stander of living and how they would be able to buy US made goods. It seem like win win for the US people and the people were new plants would be build. But did it as how many little towns have become gost towns due to places moving out of the US and paying less to have the itam made. Then shipping it back to sell to the US people. And claming it was a win win seems to fall a little short when it comes to dumping the US worker Then paying those people less than a US worker was paid.

[@htchd1htchd149]

What's even sadder those miners that paid into it still lost their benefits ain't no unions in southern wv now the mines can't get anyone to work offering awesome benefits, pay no one wants to do it cause they now they'll just get massed layoffs, a man don't want to destroy their body doin that work ,then I the back of their mind wondering if their gonna have a job ,much less retirement everyday, people don't trustem anymore so guess what they've done in the past is bitin em n the ass now

[@aaronjarvenpa1743]

Right to work doesn’t work and there pay is shit compared to union workers pay is .

[@alwaysready4017]

Good thing about America is if you don’t want the job then go find something you do.

[@mikephalen3162]

These guys hurt themselves, voting for Reagan and Trump.

[@bjellison905]

You know nothing you speak of. Obama almost killed the industry which was his plan. Trump rescued it. Reagan rescued the whole country. As a miner i can present you the number of production and price per ton under those surrounding the 2 you mentioned.

[@JeremyNelson-we7sr]

You’re so right Joe Biden is definitely for the working class white man huh? He’s definitely helping them out every day with this low inflation and interest rates man it’s a great time to be a working class American right?

[@midwayfarms]

Well that's funny Obama destroy the coal industry thousands of people lost their jobs

[@aaronjarvenpa1743]

Union coal workers still are the lowest payed workers of all Union workers. I would find new work

[@htchd1htchd149]

Unions are a joke I know cause I'm I one of em lol ,we'd be much better off gettin the actual wages that's in the contract and investing ourselves and gettin our own medical whatknot then let them they keep takin more and more out n losing it ,then if ya ask em how the hell my retirement lose money when the market at record highs its funny and sad all the money I'm puttin in ai t gonna be there when I need it .

[@JohnDoe-mx3vg]

Remember before the Union when everything was made in the United States? Then came along the expensive lazy Union worker an companies moved out of the U.S.A.😅😅😅😅😅

[@briargoatkilla]

Exactly. Union labor is the main killer of American industry.

[@scoutandastir]

😂😂

[@coleaydeesixxx]

Derkie White Castle from Boone County, WV city of Bim is a famous legendary coal miner.

[@marshallapplewhite47]

This is why I'll never join a union.

[@benbailey2037]

How could you do it. 30:11. I still use this symbol. In 2024 As a trucker it not only makes 4 wheelers look at you funny . but others wathching. Ohhh. I remember that symbol. Does anyone know how and when that motion . came to be?? It meant big trouble when i was little sorry not symbol. I mean gesture

[@vsetkoumiera7683]

What symbol ?

[@benbailey2037]

That gesture. Ok not a symbol sorry

[@tedbell4416]

​@@benbailey2037 means shame on you right?

[@andrewmosley2588]

This is truly a thing of the past. Its sad. My whole family were coal miners from Floyd County KY. All of our coal powered plants will be done by 2035 if we dont get Trump back in office in November.

[@ClockworkGFX]

Trump wouldnt piss on you if you were on fire.

[@Dr_GraysGhost_420]

Trump hates unions.. The Unions back Biden

[@samuelprice2461]

They’ll be gone regardless. Trump isn’t bringing coal back. There’s no profit in it, when a Chinese company can do it and pay their workers less than half of an American a day.