Sociaust Us Miners Tighten the Screw
Socialist Press1978 1978-02-22Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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Carter-uncertain of effect of an injunction The Carter administration is weighing its options on moves to end the 11-week coal miners' strike that has now begun to cause increasing industrial lay-offs in America's industrial Mid West.
The Chrysler Corporation has warned that it could be forced shut down production as a result of electric power shortages in Ohiothe state worst-hit by the strike.
Ford and General Motors both also stand to face factory shutdowns as a result of the gathering power crisisthe effects of which have been intensified by one of the most severe US winters in memory Some 500,000 workers in the Mid West and Appalachia could be laid off.
This is why Carter has become increasingly concerned to force a settlement to the dispute. But his options in doing so are severely limited.
Top level talks between miners' leaders and the bosses' Bitumenous Coal Operators' Association have led to a complete dead-end.
No basis Emerging from 40 hours of continuous talks, Carter's man in charge Ray Marshall announced that:
"There is no basis for further negotiation"
But there is no basis either for the UMW bureaucracy to force home the bosses' current offer, which has already been rejected by a 30-6 vote of the union's bargaining council and given rise to à wave of protest throughout the union.
Union President Arnold Miller only ten weeks into his second term of office, has been slammed from all sides for recommending the offer, which would have imposed penalties on miners who take unofficial strike action, effectively abolished cost of living wage increases, endangered medical benefits and pensions, and opened the way for speed-up. NO