Posted on 09/20/2006 9:58:26 AM PDT by Armedanddangerous
FOR YEARS, some coal corporations have talked of bringing low-cost miners from Mexico, where diggers earn $75 a week, to replace $1,000-a-week U.S. miners. Observers have commented that America would be less disturbed by mine tragedies if the victims were unfamiliar foreigners.
(Excerpt) Read more at wvgazette.com ...
The following is a surprising editorial from the very left wing Charleston Gazette, in Charleston, WV.....
FOR YEARS, some coal corporations have talked of bringing low-cost miners from Mexico, where diggers earn $75 a week, to replace $1,000-a-week U.S. miners. Observers have commented that America would be less disturbed by mine tragedies if the victims were unfamiliar foreigners.
Last year, a labor broker asked the Kentucky Mining Board for permission to import 1,000 Mexican and Chilean miners. The pretext given was that Kentucky miners are “on drugs and don’t work hard” — but the real reason was because the aliens would work for a small fraction of U.S. pay. Reportedly, the plan faltered because the Hispanics couldn’t pass Kentucky’s English-only mine exam.
Ever since, elusive reports of immigrant workers in Appalachian mines have surfaced. And now, a Boone County tragedy has spotlighted the issue. An illegal alien using a fake Green Card and other phony credentials was working for a Milwaukee contractor repairing equipment at West Virginia mines — until the immigrant was charged with a drunken driving wreck that killed a 4-year-old boy. A second Hispanic mine worker later was accused of drag-racing with the first.
Employees of such out-of-state contractors aren’t required to pass West Virginia’s English-language written test for deep and surface miners. The United Mine Workers union is worried that more such aliens may be entering the Mountain State to work for below-poverty wages.
State officials should investigate to learn whether there’s an influx of low-cost foreigners — especially aliens using false papers. Meanwhile, rules should be changed, requiring contract employees to pass the same exams as other coal mine workers.
ping
Not surprised. Even if Mexican miners die in an accident--they're still human beings. It's all about the pay scale.
its the same story in every industry - and its destroying the US private sector middle class.
BOHICA
I live in Boone County, and Ive been seeing this coming for about two years. No one wanted to acknowledge it until August 30, when Tyler Evans was killed by Christian Javier Sanchez-Rubio and Marvin Navarro.
Now people seem to be taking note, and wondering why all of a sudden there are people working at the mine sites around here who cannot speak a lick of English.
I wouldnt put it past them.
Between scandals and this kind of stuff, I don't think our nation has ever had such a case of ethical bankruptcy.
Dont think that that is funny or sarcastic. If you remember correctly a couple of months ago the thread on FR about the trucking companies who are hiring the Indian and Pakastani and such drivers because they will drive for a small portion of what the US drivers want. I am on a major US highway intersetion with a major interstate. The truck stop here has more and more turban wearing truckers coming in.
These people and their descendants are very good people and good Americans, most serving in the military. It is a shame the mine was closed but it may be reopening as there is a huge but hard to get at ore body. It is worth noting that the reason the mine was closed in the first place was its purchase by BHP who could make higher profits at its Southeast Asian mines.
The body of the letter states simply: Round'em up Heard'em south!
The ethical bankruptcy existed during the late 19th century as this nation became industrialized. The new captains of industry exploited the workers to the max by importing immigrants to replace any attempts to strike, established company stores who sold the workers's family goods on easy credit (which the worker could not dig himself out easily), and black lists on any workers who complained. Unions and labor reform did not occur because of a mob of envious poor people against the self made successful millionaires of Guilded Age (late 19th Century US). Many workers had genuine grievances. Many of the labor reforms, anti trust acts and etc were ushered in by GOP President Theodore Roosevelt because he recognized that the government was needed to balance the industrialists and labor movement for the overall good of the country.
It's not just mines. I stopped in at our local hamburger joint last week and no one but me and the employees spoke English.
Hit the post button too soon on my above. Wanted to include that our grocery stores are also going to food labels in Spanish. I'm not just talking about dual English and Spanish, but completely Spanish. If it weren't for the pictures, I'd never know if I was opening a can beans or hash.
Will they or their heirs be able to sue if they are injured or killed due to mine owners negligence?
Muslim truck drivers?
I dont know their religious leanings, but ragheads for sure. You can see them at the truckstops.
That is an excellent question.
I have a very reasonable state legislator who is determined to enter a bill in the west virginia house to make it so if it isn't right now.
And to beat all, this legislator is a Democrat too!
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