Legacy
In the 115 years since Lattimer, the UMWA has carried on the legacy of those who were killed by fighting against the horrible working conditions and low wages they experienced. Explore the following excerpts to get a better idea of UMWA activity following Lattimer.
Early 20th Century
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"United We Stand, Divided We Fall The time has come when all members of the working class must sink their petty differences and personal political opinions, and take a united and definite position. The great danger is… the capitalist class will, by means of their entrenched power in government, judiciary, the public press and financial organizations…obtain such a hold upon society that the work of redemption will be frustrated for generations to come. While the working class divide their energies and divide political parties…the capitalist class will move solidly along [its] well-defined purpose." - January 18, 1912 United Mine Workers Journal [telling miners about the importance of being in the UMWA] |
segment from "Empires of Industry: The Legacy of King Coal" - the Great Strike of 1902 is the first time the UMWA took full advantage of the power it gained from Lattimer.
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Mid-20th Century
"Employers Spend Millions Yearly for Labor Espionage
Amazing testimony uncovering the activities of labor spies and their devilish work has caused the Senate Civil Liberties Committee to issue a preliminary report on the results of its investigation. Representatives and employees of some of these notorious detective agencies have confessed that they lied, that they ‘framed’ members of labor unions, that they even invaded homes to carry on their despicable work of corruption and crookedness."
- February 15, 1937 United Mine Workers Journal [informing Union members about injustices that are being fought against in the work place]
Amazing testimony uncovering the activities of labor spies and their devilish work has caused the Senate Civil Liberties Committee to issue a preliminary report on the results of its investigation. Representatives and employees of some of these notorious detective agencies have confessed that they lied, that they ‘framed’ members of labor unions, that they even invaded homes to carry on their despicable work of corruption and crookedness."
- February 15, 1937 United Mine Workers Journal [informing Union members about injustices that are being fought against in the work place]
Late 20th Century
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Richard Trumka, UMWA President from 1982 to 1995, explains why there will always be a need for the United Mine Workers
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" ' Buy American' rally in Huntington, W.Va. 'We’ve got to get the message out for people to stop buying foreign products, because that’s what’s hurting our own people so bad. As long as people support it, these companies will keep going overseas and cutting our jobs. It’s worth it to buy American. And if you can’t find what you want made in America, complain to the store.'" - Hillman Dotson, of Local Union 2496, to the January 1987 United Mine Workers Journal [in reference to Union efforts to keep jobs in America] |
Today
"I believe we are in a significantly stronger position. Our success in negotiating a new National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement means thousands of our active coal miners will see their wages go up significantly over the five-and-a-half-year term of the contract, the largest dollar increase in our 122-year history. The pact also preserves health care benefits for both active and retired members, with no cuts, and against very stiff odds, it preserves pension benefits, with no cuts for current and future eligible retirees."
- Cecil Roberts, President of the UMWA [ in reference to the 2012 national coal contract]
- Cecil Roberts, President of the UMWA [ in reference to the 2012 national coal contract]