On this day in 1989, the United Mine Workers began their historic strike against Pittston Coal. Richard Trumka, then president of the United Mine Workers (UMWA), sent Cecil Roberts, now president of the UMWA to lead the effort. Ninety-nine miners occupied Pittston’s Moss 3 coal processing plant, in a dramatic effort to stop the company from cutting health care. Workers, union members, community groups, people of faith, women’s groups and students of all races and nationalities came from all over the country, and the world, to establish Camp Solidarity.
Over 2,000 miners were at Camp Solidarity and some 40,000 joined the protest. Pittsons production dropped by two thirds during the campaign. The strike ended on February 20th 1990.
Photo: United Mine Workers of America Facebook page
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