A United Mine Workers strike in Alabama has entered its third month. About 1,100 workers at two coal mines in the state owned by a company called Warrior Met voted to strike on April 1, over what they viewed as an unfair contract. As William Thornton writes at Alabama Live, the miners gave up a lot during bankruptcy proceedings years ago to keep the mines operating. The mine took a hit during the pandemic as well, but demand (mainly to make steel) has picked back up, and the coal spot price is at its highest level in over a decade. Though coal is certainly doomed over the long term, there is still space for a few more years of work, which could help prop up union pensions and medical benefits.
It seems the Warrior Met management is bent on defeating the workers. In addition to staving off the strike for two months and counting, the union alleges that people affiliated with management have committed vehicular assault on union pickets:
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