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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/82345
1980-1989 tinues for two years. One of A.T. Massey's subsidiaries (Omar Mining) signed with the union and raises the question as to whether that also binds the other sub- sidiaries. In the meantime, women miners who had entered the workforce during the 1970s were seeking equal rights and more bene- fits, such as maternity leave. In an August 1986 article, "They Fought to Move In, Now They are Fighting to Move Up—Women Miners Dig Away at Discrimination," Coal Age talks about how coal companies were reluctant to hire women in the 1970s and in " contract negotiations in 1984, rank-and- file rebuffs concession and pushes for more opportunities. It's estimated that a strike of 75,000 workers in 1987-88 would deplete the $47 million strike fund in less than a month. "Should we fail," said Trumka, "we will have walked away from our last best opportunity to do so. I can see a time when the union will have little if any strength at the bargaining table…" Coal operators want the UMWA to accept more flexible hours, diesel equip- ment underground, and measures to con- tain medical costs. Trumka has expressed erence to union members at all Island Creek operations, including leases and contractors. Roughly 75% of Island Creek's employees are UMWA members. Known as the 1987 Employment and Economic Security Pact, the agreement protects Island Creek for up to one year beyond the national deadline and reduces the royalty it paid into the UMWA pension fund by 77%, which was $1.10 per ton to $0.25. Many predict the BCOA will suffer because of the early agreement. Island Creek had discontinued its BCOA membership in 1984. B.R. Brown criticizes the agreement Should we fail, we will have walked away from our last best opportunity to do so. I can see a time when the union will have little if any strength at the bargaining table...—Richard Trumka, president, UMWA the 1980s they are even more reluctant to train and promote them. At the end of 1986, with labor negotia- tions a little more than a year away from the January 31, 1988, deadline, Trumka takes a tough stance. Even though market conditions have deteriorated from the last concerns about "double-breasting," the ownership of union and non-union mines by the same company. In a letter to rank- and-file he said the "upcoming fight could be long, arduous, and brutal." In April, Trumka forges an agreement with Island Creek Coal that gives job pref- signed by UMWA and Island Creek and other non-BCOA companies as "Band- Aids for serious problems." A new National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement was ratified by members of both the BCOA and the UMWA. The five- year agreement was approved by a 2:1 August 2012 100th Anniversary Special Issue www.coalage.com 145 "