Today in labor history Dec 6, 361 coal miners die at Monongah, W.V. nation’s worst mining disaster

[Omaha Steve]

December 06

December 6, 1869 - The Colored National Labor Union met in convention for the first time in Washington, D.C. Some 214 delegates attended. This union was a counterpart to the white National Labor Union. The assembly sent a petition to Congress requesting direct intervention in the alleviation of the "condition of the colored workers of the southern States" by subdividing the public lands of the South into forty-acre farms and providing low-interest loans to black farmers.

361 coal miners die at Monongah, W.V., in nation’s worst mining disaster - 1907

International Glove Workers Union of America merges into Amalgamated Clothing Workers - 1961

[MountainLaurel]

1. Monongah girl here

Thanks for noting the day, OS. Here are some pics:











A book came out earlier this year about the disaster:

[foxfeet]

2. The Green Rolling Hills Of West Virginia by Utah Phillips

CHORUS
Oh the green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here
They'll keep me and never let me go.

My daddy said don't ever be a miner
or a miner's grave is all you'll ever own
There's hard times everywhere, I can't find a dime to spare
These are the worst times I've ever known

So I'll move away into some crowded city
In some northern factory town you'll find me there
Though I'll leave the past behind, I'll never change my mind
These troubled times are more than I can bear.

Someday I'll go back to West Virginia
To those green rolling hills I love so well
Oh someday I'll go home and I know I'll right the wrong
These troubled times will follow me no more.

[Stargazer99]

3. How much you want to bet

that the capitalist that owned that mine had many safety violations. Now does my expression "legalized murder" start to make sense to the brain-washed?