Text version of the Militant, a socialist newspaper 
the Militant Socialist newspaper
about this site directory of local distributors how to subscribe new and in the next issue order bundles of the Militant to sell
news articles editorials columns contact us search view back issues
SOCIALIST WORKERS CAMPAIGN
The Militant this week
FRONT PAGE ARTICLES
ˇSí se puede! Minnesota meat packers win union
New UFCW members at Dakota prepare to fight for contract
 
Unionists rally in Denver for UMWA strikers
 
Thousands in Okinawa say 'no' to U.S. bases
 
Immigrants in Georgia town protest arrest of workers
FEATURE ARTICLES
How U.S. militarization drive led to second world imperialist slaughter
Pathfinder Press reprints 'In Defense of Marxism' by Leon Trotsky
 
Publication schedule
 
20,000 sign to put socialists on New York ballot
 
forums
calendar
Submit Letter to the editor
Submit article or photo
submit forum
submit to calendar


A socialist newsweekly published in the interests of working people
Vol. 64/No. 31August 14, 2000

 
Unionists rally in Denver for UMWA strikers
 
 
BY JACK PARKER  
DENVER--More than 100 striking coal miners and their supporters held a spirited rally here July 26 in front of Pittsburg and Midway's national headquarters. The miners are on strike at P&M's Kemmerer mine in Wyoming and McKinley mine in New Mexico.

They chanted "No contract, No work" and carried signs that said, "Chevron's record on human rights: murder in Nigeria, discrimination on the Navajo Nation, scabs in Wyoming." Pittsburg and Midway (P&M) is owned by Chevron.

The action was sponsored by Denver Jobs with Justice, which is affiliated to the AFL-CIO.

Three miners came all the way from North River, a P&M mine near Birmingham, Alabama, to show their support. "Every ground person is wearing a red ribbon to show their solidarity with the strikers," Carl Yerby told the Militant. "We can't strike, but we can tell the company where we stand."

Head Sánchez was one of two miners who came to the rally from the York Canyon mine in Raton, New Mexico. York Canyon is the other P&M mine organized by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). "We will back the Kemmerer and McKinley strikers all the way," Sánchez told the rally.

Jim Vilos, a member of UMWA Local 1307 who has worked at the Kemmerer mine for more than 27 years, told the crowd, "Chevron wants to bully us, but I would like to tell the brothers from McKinley that we are rock-solid behind you. We are fighting for our rights, for a fair contract, for fair wages, for health care for all, and we will not take a step backward."

Lawrence Oliver, president of UMWA Local 1332 at the McKinley mine, said, "We want a contract, and we want it now. P&M is trying to take advantage of the treaty rights of the Navajo Nation, and that is as low as you can go. By trying to get miners to use Indian Health Services, they are trying to take away medical care from Navajo children." Oliver invited those present to an August 13 rally at the McKinley mine. He reported, "Miners from Black Mesa and Kayenta will be at McKinley that day." Black Mesa and Kayenta are mines on the Navajo Nation; they are owned by Peabody Coal, and their contract is due to expire August 31.

UMWA international president Cecil Roberts told the crowd, "Unity is what made the UMWA, and unity is what is going to win these strikes." Roberts pledged the full backing of the international union to the fight of the McKinley and Kemmerer miners.

 
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home