In most instances, I would say that a lot of the miners who work in nonunion mines are afraid to speak out and let people know how bad that mine is and that they would lose their jobs for speaking out. The Militant has been that voice for workers who could not speak out or organize for better working conditions. To put a muzzle on freedom of speech when it concerns peoples’ lives is criminal.

This is the opportunity for folks to organize the mines. With so many new operations opening up in the coalfields, more workers are at risk for death or permanent injuries because of putting profits before people. Keep up the good work Militant and don’t let the establishment stop you from telling the stories of all those workers who have no other avenue.

Kathryn South
Oak Hill, West Virginia

Kathryn South is the secretary of the National Black Lung Association. Her letter was read at a special Militant Labor Forum in Pittsburgh on February 26 on “Defending labor rights” (see front-page ad for other such forums).

—Editor  
 
Unionize the mines
I live in the coalfields of western Pennsylvania and my grandfather, Camillo Brisini, was an organizer for the United Mine Workers of America. In the 1990s I formed the Coal Country Coalition, which battled the racist Klan and supported workers’ rights.

I was very interested in the February 6 Militant editorial, “Unionize the mines! Build the UMWA!” It pointed out that the main solution to the problems facing coal miners, such as safety on the job, was to form a UMWA local “in every single mine.”

I agree. I also think it’s imperative to point out that the present capitalist system can never be reformed to truly meet the needs of workers and small farmers or provide real safety on the job for the toiling masses.

Nick Brisini
Hastings, Pennsylvania  
 
 
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