Within the last week alone a fire forced the owners of the Co-Op mine in Utah to seal a portion of the mine and evacuate 10 miners working underground. And Kentucky officials acknowledged for the first time that coal hauler James Thornsbury died January 23 on the job, during a work-related accident, not from a health failure. After incidents in seven mines in three states, the death toll in U.S. coal mines is now 19 since the beginning of the year. (See articles above.)

On the heels of these events more and more working people are willing to support the fight to defeat the C.W. Mining lawsuit. They see more clearly its nature. They understand better how this coal boss filed the suit to retaliate against workers who struggled uncompromisingly for decent pay, safe working conditions, and for representation by the union of their choice—the UMWA.

The wealthy owners of C.W. Mining also want to silence and financially strangle the Militant—a socialist newsweekly published in the interests of working people that dares to report what the workers have to say and tell it like it is on the facts of every struggle. The Militant never backed down from editorially supporting the Co-Op miners’ struggle, and that of other miners fighting for union recognition, safety on the job, and dignity.

The Militant has embraced the effort organized by the Militant Fighting Fund to win as many new endorsers as possible for the defense campaign prior to the February 17 court hearing. On that day attorneys for the defendants will argue their motions to dismiss the C.W. Mining lawsuit in a federal courtroom in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s go into that hearing having added 100 new endorsers or more to the already substantial list of supporters of the Militant Fighting Fund.

Growing support for defending labor rights, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech will also be a boost to former Co-Op miners and the UMWA as they prepare for a March 14 hearing in Price, Utah. A National Labor Relations Board judge will hear testimony that day on the UMWA’s pending claim that the miners were illegally fired by the company in December 2004, on the eve of a union representation vote at the mine.

Any reader can download from www.themilitant.com the latest brochure and endorser card issued by the organizers of the Militant Fighting Fund. Take the brochures with you on the job. Discuss the defense effort with co-workers or fellow students and sign them up. Share the material with family, friends, and colleagues. Contribute financially and ask others to do the same.

The bosses have large resources at their disposal. They are using the lawsuit to wear out the defendants and drain them financially. The Militant Fighting Fund, which is raising the funds for the Militant’s defense, is counting on workers, farmers, students, and others like you to beat back this assault on workers’ rights, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.

Join the effort!
 
 
Related articles:
Boss disregard for safety kindles fire at Utah mine
Part of Co-Op mine shut down; 10 miners evacuated
C.W. Mining, gov't officials try to obscure the facts
Another coal miner dies on job in Kentucky
Toll: 19 in five weeks
Workers subscribe to ‘Militant,’ ask it to tell their side
Support grows for Militant Fighting Fund
Letters  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home