Home > United Mine Workers
The United Mine Workers (UMW or UMWA) is a United States labor union that represents workers in mining. One of the groups in the forefront of the fight for collective bargaining in the early 20th century, the UMW was founded in Columbus, Ohio, on January 22, 1890, by the merger of two earlier groups, the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers. It was modeled after the American Federation of Labor (AFL).After passage of the National Recovery Act in 1933, organizers spread out throughout the United States to organize all coal miners.
1 Achievements
- An eight-hour work day in 1898, collective bargaining rights in 1933, and safety protections in 1969.
- In 1969, the UMWA convinced the United States Congress to enact the landmark Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act which provided compensation for miners suffering from Black Lung Disease .
Famous UMWA leaders include John Mitchell, John L. Lewis, and Mother Jones.
2 Violent Clashes
Its history is filled with violent clashes with industrial leaders, including:
- Lattimer Massacre - September 10September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). There are 112 days following it. Events 1608 John Smith elected council president of Jamestown, Virginia 1776 Nathan Hale volunteers to spy 1813 The U. defeats the British Fleet at the Battl, 1897Events January 1 Brooklyn, New York merges with New York City. January 4 A British force is ambushed by Chief Ologbosheri, son-in-law of the Oba of Benin. This leads to a Punitive Expedition against Benin. February 2 The Pennsylvania state capitol is dest. 19 miners were killed by police in Lattimer, Pennsylvania, during a march in support of unions.
- Ludlow MassacreThe Ludlow Massacre of April 20, 1914 was one of the bloodiest assaults on organized labor in American history. It took place in Ludlow, Colorado (today a ghost town) northwest of Trinidad, Colorado and was the climax of an effort to suppress a strike by - April 20April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). There are 255 days remaining. Events 636 Battle of Yarmuk: Arabs take control of Syria and Palestine away from the Byzantine Empire. 1653 Oliver Cromwell disbands Parli, 1914Events January 4 77 seal hunters freeze to death on ice near Labrador January 5 Ford Motor Company announces an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage of $5 for a day's labor February 13 Copyright: In New York City the ASCAP (for American Society of Compos. 20 people, including women and children, killed when police and hired guns broke up a tent colony formed by families of miners who had been evicted from company-owned housing.
- Matewan, West VirginiaMatewan is a town located in Mingo County, West Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 498. Geography Matewan is located at 37°37'23" North, 82°9'59" West (37. 623034, -82. According to the United States Census Bureau, the tow - May 19May 19 is the 139th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (140th in leap years). There are 226 days remaining. Events 1535 French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with 3 ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacona's 2 s, 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu. 12 men were killed in a gunfight between town residents and the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency, hired by mine owners. This is depicted in the John Sayles film Matewan .
