The Monongah mining disaster, 1907 - Steven Johns
Submitted by Steven. on Aug 1 2016 21:02
A short account of the worst mining disaster in US history, which killed over 360 mostly Italian migrant workers and which was the inspiration for Father's Day events.
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais miners' strike, 1941
Submitted by Steven. on May 16 2016 15:06
A short history of the mass strike of miners in Nazi-occupied northern France from 27 May to 10 June. Despite heavy repression it won improvements to pay and conditions.
Recent cases highlight the farcical nature of America's "justice" system
Submitted by Soapy on Apr 22 2016 19:11
Two recent court sentences highlight America's two forms of justice. One for the rich and white, and one for everyone else.
Colonialism in modern America: the Appalachian case
The essays in this book illustrate a conceptual model for analyzing the social and economic problems of the Appalachian region. The model is variously called Colonialism, Internal Colonialism, Exploitation, or External Oppression. ...Its history demonstrates the concerted efforts of the exploiters to label their work as progress and to blame problems they caused on the ignorance or deficiencies of the Appalachian people.
...We believe that there are peoples all over the world who have experienced this sort of "development" and consequently live in conditions similar to those found in the mountains.
Appalachian Consortium
North Carolina, 1978
A strike like no other strike: Pittston strike holds lessons for today
Submitted by Steven. on Feb 20 2016 19:53
Article by the United Mine Workers of America, 20 years on from the 10-month-long Pittston Coal strike in Virginia. As you would expect from an official union account it omits to mention the wildcat strikers and violent acts of sabotage but contains interesting historical information.
Coalminers strike against Pittston Company in Virginia, 1989-1990
Submitted by Steven. on Feb 20 2016 19:33
A short history of the successful 10 month long strike at Pittston Coal against cuts to retirement and health benefits, which included mass sit-ins and sabotage.
Spaniards in the valleys - Martin Selby
Submitted by Steven. on Oct 29 2015 22:50
Interesting book written by Nicolas Dueñas, writing as Martin Selby, with recollections of the coalmining communities in the Welsh valleys at the beginning of the 20th century at a time of an influx of miners from Spain.
Blood on the coal: Colorado strike of 1927 - Patrick Murfin
Submitted by Steven. on Oct 19 2015 10:14
A short history of the great Colorado coal strike of 1927, called by the revolutionary union Industrial Workers of the World which lasted until the following year, facing savage repression and killings and won concessions, although not IWW union recognition.
Ende Gelände: a reflection on mass action
Submitted by Amongst the Elder on Oct 7 2015 17:08
On the 15th of August, around 1500 people took part in a mass act of civil disobedience by occupying the Garzweiler open cast coal mine in the Rhineland, Germany. The Amongst the Elder collective reflect on their experiences of this action and pose questions about the effectiveness and limits of such mass actions in the future.
The Mold riots: The summer of ‘69
Submitted by wojtek on Jun 25 2015 01:17
The story of the 1869 riots in Mold, Wales. Following a trial in which miners were convicted of assaulting their manager, soldiers fired on angry protesters, killing four and injuring dozens.
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