coalminersfindalliesinclergy

Coal Miners Find Allies in Clergy

In late April, representatives of Religious Leaders for Coalfield Justice gathered in St. Louis for a press conference to announce public
support for the 3,000 coal miners at Peabody Energy who are seeking to gain a voice in the workplace. Peabody’s national
headquarters is in St. Louis, and the press conference was held just a few blocks away at Christ Church Episcopal. There, a group of
clergy, including IWJ Board member Rev. Jim Sessions, demonstrated support for the workers’ efforts.

“The union is what helped us raise our family, and I believe in it,” said Carol Smith, the wife of Sonny Smith, a coal miner who worked
for Peabody Energy for 36 years. He is now an active retiree in the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

“Peabody used to be the kind of company that listened to its workers,” said Sessions. “Now all they seem to be interested in is their
bottom line.”

Fifteen years ago, the majority of Peabody Energy miners were UMWA members. Since then, the company has instituted a number of
policies intended to de-unionize its holdings. “When one Peabody mine closes, the company opens another mine through a non-
union sub idiary,” said Ross Hyman, Research Analyst, AFL-CIO. Many union activists who used to work in Peabody mines find it hard
to get work at newer mines because of their union activity.

Current Peabody Energy employees talk about facing intimidation when it comes to having a voice on the job, and so were fearful that
a public statement would backfire on their efforts. The support of clergy has been very important for Peabody employees.

Rev. Teresa Mithen, a St. Louis Episcopal priest and co-chair of St. Louis Jobs with Justice, stated that “having an organization that is
solely [the workers’] own honors the dignity given to them as a child of God,” when asked by a reporter about the necessity of a union.

Religious Leaders for Coalfield Justice continues to support coal miners in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. If you live
near mines in these areas, please contact Will Tanzman, (773) 728-8400 ext. 16 or wtanzman@iwj.org.