Dead miner’s father: MSHA let us down
by Ken Ward Jr. BECKLEY, W.Va. — Gary Quarles, the father of Upper Big Branch Disaster victim Gary Wayne Quarles, just told the House Labor Committee that federal regulators failed the miners killed in the April 5 disaster: MSHA inspectors at Massey did little to protect miners … We absolutely looked to MSHA for leadership, [...]
Sen. Byrd: Massey ’scoffed and laughed at’ repeated MSHA citations at Upper Big Branch Mine prior to April 5 disaster that killed 29 miners
by Ken Ward Jr. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has secured an additional $22 million to help clear up the huge backlog of appealed enforcement cases pending at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. In a statement announcing the move, Sen. Byrd had this to say: Last month, a horrific explosion at the [...]
Since 2000, 52 miners were killed working for Massey.
in his testimony Before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Tuesday April 27, 2010 Cecil Roberts said: It is time to hold CEOs and corporate Boards of Directors accountable when the facts reveal systematic problems with health and safety compliance. It is not enough to issue fines or levy charges against low-level [...]
UMWA’s Roberts calls for public hearing on disaster
by Ken Ward Jr. During a Senate committee hearing this afternoon, United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts will call for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to conduct its investigation of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster through a public hearing. As we’ve reported, the UMWA and its mine safety experts are already in [...]
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Mike Roselle
By Jeff Biggers The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very like to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? — Henry David Thoreau, Walden He’s sitting in the Southern Regional [...]
