COALMINERS-L Archives

From: David Kuchta <>
Subject: Coal Strikes
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 22:04:03 -0500

Unions and Strikes: Anthracite Coal Fields of PA USA

The first recorded industrial dispute involving mine workers was in 1842,
when 1,500 mine workers conducted a strike meeting at Minnersville, Pa. and
then descended on to Pottsville. There they staged a demonstration. After
several weeks of idleness, marked by acts of violence, the miners willingly
accepted work on any terms.
First union in the coal fields was started in 1848, in St. Clair,
Pennsylvania. It was named the Bates union and was short lived. It seems
that two years after inception, the president ran off and absconded with
the unions assets, thus ending that organization.
Between 1868-69 another union was formed. This is the first real show of
Unionism in Schuylkill County, Pa. when they chartered the Workingmen's
Benevolent Association on July 23, 1868. At that time the Pa. Legislation
passed an 8 hour work day. It was mostly ignored and the state didn't
enforce it.
Between 1884 and 1888, two labor organizations were formed in the
Anthracite Coal regions. They were the Miners and Labors Amalgamated
Association and the Knights of Labor.
In 1887 these two labors joined and became the Knights of Labor.
On January 25, 1890, the United MineWorkers of America UMWA was founded.
In 1900, Johnny Mitchell became the 5th President of the UMWA at the young
age of 28.
Mitchell asked for a meeting at Hazleton, Pa., to discuss miner grievances
with the coal operators. The coal operators ignored his request so Mitchell
ordered a general strike in all sections of the hard coal fields. This
strike lasted 40 days. This strike gave the mineworkers a resounding and
long overdue victory and because of this Johnny Mitchell Day is celebrated
on October 20 each year.
The coal operators wouldn't agree so the "Great Strike of 1902," was
called. Because of high hostilities between the workers and management the
National Guard was called out and the Coal and Iron cops were shuttled
throughout the coalfields in special railroad cars, to bring order and
guard the coal properties from vandalism.

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• Coal Strikes by David Kuchta <>