|
 |
|
Help us honor Workers Memorial Day by taking
action to protect coal miners. Tell your members of Congress to
pass real mine safety reform and stop the Bush
administration’s appalling record on miner safety.
| | |
Dear Working Families e-Activist,
Every year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day, we honor
fellow workers who have been hurt or killed on the job and
renew our struggle for
safe workplaces. This year began with a terrible
workplace tragedy, the explosion at the Sago Mine in West
Virginia that claimed the lives of 12 miners. A total of 24 coal
miners have died in workplace accidents already in 2006, making
it crystal clear that we need strong protection for our
miners.
As oil prices soar, pressure is on to produce more coal. As
the coal mines kick into high gear, we have to protect the
workers who are working for us. Let’s make sure there are
no more Sagos. Contact your U.S. senators and representative
today and ask them to support real reform to our mine safety
laws.
Click Here to Take
Action
It’s no coincidence that we’ve seen a rash of
mining fatalities this year. The Bush administration has put our
nation’s coal miners in danger by killing 17 Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA) safety rules, including
measures on mine rescue teams and emergency oxygen. These very
rules might have helped the miners at Sago. The administration
also weakened mine ventilation standards and allowed coal
conveyer belt shafts to be used as a source of air, a dangerous
practice prohibited by the Mine Act.
What’s more, President George W. Bush
has consistently put mine bosses and industry executives in
charge of MSHA. His administration has failed to punish mining
companies for safety violations, levying insignificant fines
when companies put their workers in danger.
Our coal miners are dying at an alarming rate, and it has got
to stop. Take action today and tell your senators and
representative to pass protections for miners.
Click Here to Take
Action
Two bills proposed in Congress (H.R. 4695/S. 2231 and S.
2308) would take immediate steps to protect the nation’s
coal miners, including:
- Requiring immediate notification of accidents and rapid
emergency response.
- Requiring new, stronger standards on mine rescue teams,
communications, tracking devices and oxygen availability for
mine emergencies.
- Setting mandatory minimum penalties for egregious and
repeated violations.
- Prohibiting the use of conveyor belts to ventilate work
areas.
This Workers Memorial Day, let’s make a difference for
workers who face unsafe conditions every single day. Help pass
these important reforms and help save miners’ lives.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/minesafety
Our Dallas observance of Workers Memorial Day will be
at 7 PM on April 28 at Oak Cliff Methodist Church, Marsalis
& Jefferson. Please join us.
In solidarity,
Gene Lantz | 
