US’s Mineworkers Union Backs Striking Utah Miners

US affiliate United Mineworkers of America is standing firm behind 73 non-union miners in Huntington, Utah. The 73—mostly Mexican nationals—were sacked last year for protesting horrid coal-mining conditions during a recognition strike. Family-run Co-op Mine pays miners US$5-8/hour, 40% the average US mine wage, and three of the last eight mine fatalities in Utah State occurred at the Kingston family’s Co-Op Mine. “We’re committed to this until they win,” said UMWA’s Mike Dalpiaz. “These people need justice. Nobody should be exploited the way these people have.”