28m

Synopsis (WV Div. of Culture): Using archival footage, the story of this 1960’s populist uprising in West Virginia is told in cinema verité style. Interviews with several miners with black lung are mixed with comments by many West Virginia experts on coal mine safety to tell a compelling story of their success fighting their own union, the State Legislature, and the U.S. Congress. Their victory was the much-heralded Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Congressman Ken Hechler, primary author of the bill, is shown addressing miners in Kanawha County. Doctors, labor leaders, and government officials of the day are also interviewed.

Contact: MSHA Printing & Training Materials Distribution, http://www.msha.gov/TRAINING/prodintr.htm