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By Curt Johnson
October 31, 2019

Top, miners block rails, Harlan County, Kentucky, July 2019, to stop Blackjewel bosses from hauling coal until wages owed them were paid. The nonunion miners won broad support and, in October, their back pay. Above, miners hold national protest in Washington, D.C., March 1981, a few weeks before 160,000 began 10-week strike, turning back concession contract demanded by mine bosses.

Top, miners block rails, Harlan County, Kentucky, July 2019, to stop Blackjewel bosses from hauling coal until wages owed them were paid. The nonunion miners won broad support and, in October, their back pay. Above, miners hold national protest in Washington, D.C., March 1981, a few weeks before 160,000 began 10-week strike, turning back concession contract demanded by mine bosses.