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   Vol. 69/No. 32           August 22, 2005  
 
 
Utah coal miners build August 21 solidarity picnic
 
BY DAVE FERGUSON  
PRICE, Utah—In the first week of August an update on the Co-Op coal miners’ struggle was sent to dozens of unionists and others who have supported the nearly two-year battle to win a union at the Co-Op mine in Huntington, Utah. The letter included an invitation to a solidarity picnic for the miners to be held on August 21 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Huntington Lake Park. The event is sponsored by District 22 of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

The letter, written by Ann Fivecoat, who is active in winning support for the miners’ fight, was sent to some 75 people throughout the region. It concludes, “If you cherish your right as a person to stand for fair wages with respect for your rights, stand up and be counted with your support for these miners. This is not just for the Co-Op miners, this is for all working people. Organize at your workplace or join if there is a union already in place.”

Ann Fivecoat, together with Bob Fivecoat, a member of UMWA Local 9958, which is made up of retired miners, help organize the Co-Op miners’ fund.

“This picnic is so all of the miners can stay in contact with each other. We are inviting many other people to come to see that we are still fighting and what we have won so far,” said José Contreras, one of the fired miners.

On August 3, a letter to the editor supporting the Co-Op miners was printed in the local Sun Advocate, the first mention in the newspaper of the Co-Op miners’ struggle in several months. Published under the heading “Who buys the Coal?” Ned Scarlet, a retired UMWA member from Cleveland, Utah, wrote, “Ever since the current labor dispute at Co-Op Mine began, I have been curious to know who buys the coal produced there. Recently I found out that Aquila, Inc., a power company in Missouri, was a customer of C.W. Mining.”

The letter continued, “I have also found that our local power company PacfiCorp is a customer…. I, as a customer of PacifiCorp, find it repulsive that I have indirectly supported C.W. Mining when I’ve paid my power bill.”

On August 4 the Kansas City Business Journal reported that Aquila Inc. has sued the C.W. Mining Co. for canceling a contract for 550,000 tons of coal. Aquila owns two power plants in Missouri that use coal from the Co-Op mine. According to the paper, Aquila Chief Operating Officer Keith Stamm said a labor dispute caused the company to break the contract. C.W. Mining has denied any wrongdoing and counter-sued Aquila for nonpayment.

For more information on the solidarity picnic, contact UMWA District 22 at (435) 637-2037. Messages of support can be sent to the Co-Op miners c/o UMWA District 22, 525 E. 100 S., Price, UT 84501, or faxed to (435) 637-9456.  
 
 
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