The decision by a federal judge to put new regulations affecting black lung benefits on hold, the product of a vigorous campaign by the coal bosses, means that miners and widows who wish to file for black lung benefits cannot do so for several months at best. This attack has been joined by the new Bush administration.

The rule changes under dispute, implemented January 19 after a concerted effort over several years by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), are, as UMWA president Cecil Roberts said, a modest step forward. Along with the improvements, as the UMWA has noted, there are a number of problems with the changes proposed.

But the changes are a step in the right direction, and benefit all miners, union and nonunion. When black lung benefits first came into being, 70 percent of claims were successful. Congress amended the law in 1981 to make it much more difficult for miners to win benefits and gave assistance to companies fighting miners' claims. In the 20 years since then, those winning benefits have dropped below 10 percent. Miners find it hard to get legal help, because lawyers will only get paid if their claim is successful, which can take more than a decade.

While campaigning for president in West Virginia, both George Bush and Albert Gore told miners they would protect black lung benefits. Now in office President Bush is acting in the interests of the wealthy mine owners.

While the Clinton administration gave lip service to concern for the black lung issue, it never sought to bring substantive changes in black lung benefits before Congress. Although a review of these regulations began in 1997, the final version was not promulgated until the last days of the Clinton administration in December last year. These regulations went into effect on January 19, Clinton's last day in office. Clinton took no action on other health and safety reforms that the UMWA has been pressing for, such as getting the Mine Safety and Health Administration to take over dust sampling from the companies.

All working people should solidarize with miners and retirees, such as those at a recent meeting in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, who said they were ready to march again like thousands did last May in Washington, D.C., in defense of the Coal Act.

The social movement that is growing among working and retired miners and their families and others in the coalfield communities from Pennsylvania and West Virginia to Utah and Colorado strengthens the fight for health care, safe working conditions, and dignity for the entire working class.
 
 
Related article:
Coal miners defend black lung benefits  
 
 
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