If I worked in a coal mine I would expect a good pension, above average wages, lifetime health benefits, and other exemplary benefits to take care of my spouse and kids should something happen. These are not mechanics or truck driving jobs, lot more at risk and more health risks. Don't know much about miners union, but this should be the push, that the owners will take care of their family while the breadwinner works a high risk job. Never worked for a union and never had family work for a coal union, but did see a good union at work for my family for 30 years, so they do exist. If it hadn't been for the union the contractor would have pulled all the benefits from the employees and those guys would have been making right above minimum wage. I do remember the member's having to strike to not lose their benefits and wages. Scary times if your a kid! My heart does goes out to the miners and their families having been in a family and experiencing our family going through a strike. Then, having to hearing the animosity from people totally against a union and 100% against having someone stand up to help them doesn't help right now! With the deaths that happened in those coal mines in Tuscaloosa years ago we don't need a repeat of that. A lot of people may fear a reprisal when they speak of un-safe working conditions and a good union may be a way for workers to speak up to prevent injuries without retaliation. Most jobs today people can't do that without the fear of being let go when they suffer injuries or report major risks. I hope there will be common ground found soon for the sake of the miners, their families, and owners!
