Yard was suspended May 12 "with intent to discharge" for "violation of work rule number 7," specifically for allegedly "intentionally turning off a circuit breaker to interrupt and stop the production of coal." The electrical failure resulted in a 12-minute shutdown of the beltline that carries coal out of the mine to a preparation plant. Yard had been in the area carrying out responsibilities as a mine examiner.

Crown II miners organized an emergency discussion in the park in Farmersville, Illinois, on Mothers Day morning, May 14, that drew some 60 miners. Miners from Freeman United's Crown III mine just outside Farmerville and from the company's strip mine near the town of Industry participated along with some miners' wives and a few other workers.

One miner from Industry said he had heard about the move to fire Yard when he went to work that day, took the day off, and drove more than 100 miles to join the discussion on how to defend this UMWA militant.

Kirby Williams and other miners who spoke hit the potential firing of Yard as an attack on the union as a whole. Miners explained how the electrical system at Crown II was prone to problems, any one of which could have caused the breaker in question to interrupt the flow of electricity. Miners agreed to get the word out and to wear hatbands on camouflage cloth with Yard's name written in big white letters on their hard hats while at work.

Crown II and III miners conducted roadside meetings on Mothers Day evening with all those going in for the midnight shift at the Crown III mine. Many expressed anger and a strong desire to strike to prevent Yard's firing.

So unanimous was the miners' outrage over this frame-up move by Parker that Freeman United bosses backed down. Miners report that the move to fire Yard has been abandoned and the letter charging Yard has been rescinded. As an alternative to proceeding with the discharge of Yard and the union taking its chances with an arbitrator, the company reportedly offered, and Yard and his representatives from Local 1969 and UMWA District 12 accepted, a seven-day suspension without pay. Yard admitted to no responsibility whatever for the shutdown and nothing is to appear on his record concerning this matter.

Crown II miners are collecting donations on all shifts to compensate for Yard's loss of pay. One miner said that although Yard and his family and fellow workers were "put through hell over this, our victory includes seven days excused, with 'solidarity' pay."  
 
 
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