Montana labor news., 1950-03-30
COAL MINERS INDIVIDUAL REFUSAL TO BE
HERDED BACK TO PITS-BRlNCS VICTORY

ApNtlNutu HUH AZ -
.piracv ideas and accepted President Lewis invitation in &C
cordance with the court injunction to resume contract negoti-
atoms. 10
cent.-a-dav wage increase, plus l9-centsaton more for the
Welfare and Retirement Fund. tells the story OF turning publicly
accepted defeat for the union into substantial gains
The UMWA victory stewed a dish Of crow of epidemic pro-
portions-the biggest in the Nations history Of industrial re-
iations-that produced nationwide mental indigestion tor writ
err. commentators and ivory-tower analysts.
This stratum Of our prophets is now buHly engaged in trying
to minimize the gains of the UMWA victory. In so doing. the
fake analysts and false prophets once again depart from an ap-
praisal that the actuaries OF an honest analysis OF coal stocks.
production and consumption reveal.
Frankly speaking. it is our considered judgement that the
actual use Of bituminous coal-even taking into consideration the
storage stocks of coal and the continued partial production.
would not have exceeded 20 to IS million tons. o r not more
than two weeks employment if seared to actual consumption.
Here's the basis of our estimate. Storage stocks Of blum
inous coal as of February totaled SO. o92. 900 tons. February
coal consumption did not exceed SO million tons A minimum
Of 10 million tons was produced during February. Considering
the unreported storage stocks at a minimum of three million tons
and adding these unreported stocks to the leftover OF 20 mil
lion tons a 5 Of March |, we had approximately 3 million tons
above ground when the miners resumed work. Four days
OF March production and the curtailment OF usage about evened
consumption.
If there had been no work stoppage during the winter. with
all mines operating, Goa miners would not have averaged more
than three days a week with little resort to storage stocks.
The facts make the attempt to deceive the public into be-
Ceving that coal miners lost more than they gained by suit
ferins wage losses ranging from $500 to 81. 400 in pay-totaNy
imaginary amounts-a ridiculous deception on its face.
Coalmine operators will now resume in high gear. Depe-
ton Of storage stocks will enable the mines to operate at rea-
sonably steady time for at least a year.
Industrial production, competition with other fuels, a $ well
as competition within the industry, will, OF course, determine
future operahons-snce the operators have declined a divide
the production and work program.
The display of CUTS by American coal miners on their in
dividual own to fight off being driven back to the coal pits
under threats of starvation should awaken a sense Of responsible
ity in weakened labor leaders who are linked with and sub
servient to political parties, and an appreciation OF the man.
hood and staying qualities and individual determination OF
American trade unions.
In fact. it is our considered opinion that the preponderance
Of thought among labor-union members is rapidly developing a
clear-cut dislike and distrust of the abundant gestures Of ex
pressed International good will Of their leaders who, at the
same time. indulge in a self glorified sesta on the domestic front
The long deadlock that has besieged the coal industry was
a slated must fixed in the minds Of a large percentage of
coal operators, especially Southern producers who remain I'M
convinced that the UMWA is the voice of labor in their coal
field and is here to stay.
The Southern Coal Producers Association was organized
and to deunionize the mines for the Southerns-if possible.
thinking OF a sufficient number Of operators into conspiracy ac
ton in an effort to continue a n abnormal profit take.
Once again. President Lewis has demonstrated that deter
minaion to prosecute just demands by the exercise of intelligent
interpretive strategy is the answer to the success of labor leader
ship.
The UMWA emerged from the deadocked controversy with
its union intact, and a victory which seemed hopeless at times
now becomes an achievement which is the envy of the entire
American labor movement-an accomplishment that could
not have been attained unless the individuals comprising the
UMWA membership possessed the will to do and dare and sf-
fer sacrifices on their own.
UNIV Journal