On this day in labor history, the year was 1969.
That was the day President Richard Nixon signed the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act into law.
At least three key events served as the impetus for the legislation.
Beginning in the mid 60s, miners began staging numerous health and safety walkouts across the Appalachian coalfields.
Their working conditions were despicable.
Then, in November 1968, 78 miners were killed in a methane and coal dust explosion at Consol Mine no. 9 in Farmington, West Virginia.
Miners were outraged when UMW leader Tony Boyle provided cover for the company’s murderous negligence.
Then, in January, thousands of miners rallied in West Virginia’s state capitol, along with the Black Lung Association and the Disabled Miners and Widows.
They demanded legislation controlling coal dust and compensating black lung victims.
When the hearings dragged on, 30,000 miners walked out in a wildcat the next month, in what is referred to as the 1969 Black Lung Strike.
By March, the number would increase to 40,000.
The state law passed March 12. Fears of a nationwide health and safety wildcat strike prompted Congress to craft and pass the federal Act.
According to historian Paul Nyden, “the West Virginia Black Lung strike was the longest political strike in modern U.S. labor history.”
The Act created the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
It mandated annual inspections and increased federal powers of enforcement.
The Coal Act also required monetary penalties for all violations, and established criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations.
The Act developed improved mandatory health and safety standards and provided compensation for miners disabled by Black Lung disease. Miners continue to fight for better conditions, enforcement and compensation today.
April 26 - In the Streets for Jobs
April 25 - The Fight for Equality
April 24 - Standing Together, Demanding Justice
April 23 - The Canadian Labour Congress is Founded
April 22 - It’s Earth Day!
April 21 - The Anaconda Road Massacre
April 20 - The Bravest of Conductors
April 19 - Terrorists Bomb Oklahoma City
April 18 - Labor’s First Lawyer
April 17 - Corporate Criminals Know No Borders
April 16 - Another Day in the Class War
April 15 - The American Federation of Teachers is Founded
April 14 - Agricultural Workers Risk Everything to Organize
April 13 - The Laborers Union is Founded
April 12 - The Historic Walkout at Toledo Auto-Lite
April 11 - Terrorists Try to Silence Workers
April 10 - In the Streets Against Cruelty
April 9 - Minneapolis Teachers Brave the Cold for a Better Tomorrow
April 8 - Truman Takes Over Steel
April 7 - The Day the Line Went Dead
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