Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Upcoming vote by UMW (United Mine Workers of America, International Union) leaders on coal miners contract, and message from local leaders in Ohio and West Virginia with regard to rejection of it due to provision on wildcat strikes reported.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Kansas Cnty., West Virginia) Report on tradition of striking among coal miners. [Miner Kenneth WALKER - notes father told him never to cross picket line.] [Oliver HUNTER - won't cross picket line and risk violence.] Charges of outsiders using miners' feelings with regard to picket lines for own purposes detailed; example cited of situation in 1974 Kanawha Cnty., West Virginia, textbook controversy. Film shown. [Ind. relations manager Cleve CAMPBELL - says situation is one of union not holding members accountable for actions, so will have to be done in contract.] UMW (United Mine Workers of America, International Union) president Arnold Miller's agreement with companies and therefore opposed to union members noted. [MILLER - says it's matter of contract being honored and if company violates it they have to pay, too.] [Miner Roger ELLISON - feels show is run by bureaucrats and striking is only way miners can survive.] [HUNTER - thinks contract would put miners in position where companies want them.] 1977 closure of Madison Mine in Boone Cnty. by wildcat strike cited as example of what companies fear. [CAMPBELL - says this is causing ghost towns in Appalachia because of lack of investments.] [MILLER - says contract gives miners rights to benefits, but not for few to go and shut mine each time they're dissatisfied.]
REPORTER: Ed Rabel

(Studio) Results of study by envts. and producers and users of coal with regard to coal prod. in E. and limited areas, like Wyoming and MT, in West noted.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite