February 15, 1978

Fear Is New Element In Coal Strike

The nationwide coal strike drags through its third month while a new element of collective bargaining is tested.

That element is fear.

Terrorism that has cowed the rest of the world and makes assassination of corporation executives commonplace is maneuvering for a foothold in the United Mine Workers Union.

Arnold Miller, president of UMW reached what he believed to be an outstanding contract for his members.  It was negotiated with the assistance of the U.S. Mediation Service.

Upon news of the proposal a militant group of miners rushed to Miller's hotel to threaten him bodily harm.  With this the union leader locked his door declaring, "I think my life is clearly in danger if I go to the international headquarters when a mob is there.

"I won't call the bargaining council until I think it's safe to do so," said Miller.  "It depends on this bunch that's causing trouble.  I'll present the issues if and when these unruly elements go back to the coal fields."

On a quiet Sunday he did present the contract proposal to the union's 36-member bargaining council.  It refused 30-6 to recommend the contract for rank and file consideration.

Miller has good cause to be worried.  His predecessor, you will remember, was murdered along with members of the latter's family because he advocated reform in the scandal-ridden, and now bankrupt, union pension fund.

The UMW president says the rank and file members would approve the contract by a large margin if they were given an opportunity to vote it.

However, there is some doubt.  A strong-arm group of no-compromise workers certainly influences, if not intimidates, a large number of miners.

Wage rates do not seem to be the issue.  At $10.50 an hour, plus benefits, the new pay
scale is the highest of any industrial union.  At stake are two issues of principle:

• Funding and administration of the pension fund.
• Dependability of the work force.

In the last labor contract, mine operators granted a 50 percent increase in wages over a five-year period in return for a promise that the union would desist from wild cat walkouts that plague the industry.

There was no improvement in illegal work stoppages.  On the contrary, they increased four-fold.

Pension funds heretofore have been financed with a 25-cent per ton set aside.  As a result of mismanagement, fraud on the part of union administrators of the pension fund - combined with a declining set aside as wild cat strikes curtailed production -the pension funds disappeared.

The UMW demands that the coal companies guarantee pensions from company income regardless of production.

This the operators have agreed to do on condition that it administer the funds it contributes - as with most other company pension plans - and that wild-catters pay $20 per day into the union pension fund if they walk off the job illegally.

It is certain that many UMW members want the company to take care of their pension funds.  They no longer trust their own union officials.  They object, however, to being held to their contract with the same restraint as the companies.

Mine operators appear to be adamant that they are not going to pour money into a corrupt slush fund without safeguards.  And here the matter hangs up.

News sources in Washington told me over the week end that President Carter admits privately he will not intervene personally in the dispute because he fears the union members "won't listen."

Nor will he invoke the Taft-Hartley Law 80-day cooling off period because he fears the union" will not obey the law."

Ohio mine workers have publicly threatened Governor James Rhodes with "bloody civil war" if he calls out the state guard to bring in coal to rescue fuel starved power companies.

These terrorist tactics have virtually shut off the non-union coal that normally supplies half the needs of utilities and factories.

Lurking somewhere on the fringes of this explosive situation is one Mike Klonsky, leader of the Communist Party USA Marxist-Leninist.

This is an extreme left wing, Chinese-oriented anarchist group.  No one knows how numerous its members are, for it is ultra secretive.  That it is active in magnifying dissent is well known.

Klonsky was an active member of the Students for a Democratic Society and left it to found the October League which advocated destruction of American industry.  The battle cry was, "Every factory a fortress."

In his new role, Klonsky was wined and dined in Peking last year by Chairman Hua Kuo-feng, and glorified on the front page of "Peoples Daily."  Hua is quoted as calling on Klonsky "to go deep among the (American) masses boldly arousing them."

This, Klonsky has attempted - concentrating on the coal, steel, auto and rubber industries.  He hasn't been a smashing success, but he has made inroads.

The coal strike, which has deteriorated into a terror campaign, may be the proving ground for class warfare that ultimately rips off the workers it exploits.

It is the duty of President Carter to call the bluff of bullies, intervene personally, and invoke Taft-Hartley if necessary.  There can be no appeasement by law and government.

Let the UMW defy the U.S. president if it dares.  Then the American people, including rank and file union members, can decide if we shall knuckle under to fear.

Author: Lindsey Williams