Crandall Canyon Mine Owner Murray: Nuts Over Talking Squirrel

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/08/11/crandall-canyon-mine-owner-murray-nuts-over-talking-squirrel/

by Mike Hall, Aug 11, 2007

If you’ve been following the news about the six Utah coal miners trapped nearly a week ago in the collapse at the Crandall Canyon Mine near Huntington, you’ve seen Robert Murray.

The CEO of Murray Energy, the parent company of Utah American, which runs the nonunion mine, has found the camera’s spotlight, seemingly whenever it’s been shining at the disaster site. Murray has also used the spotlight to:

* Deny reports that a type of mining called retreat mining, that many safety experts warn adds danger to an already dangerous underground workplace, was being used at the Utah mine. But federal safety officials confirm retreat mining has been used at Crandall Creek.
* Dispute scientists who say that seismographic readings at the time of the collapse came from the magnitude of the collapse, not an earthquake that caused the collapse.
* Attack reporters and accuse them of posing questions provided by the Mine Workers (UMWA).
* Rant against the UMWA and its leaders, saying the union wants organize his workforce and “want to damage Murray Energy, Utah American and the United States coal industry for their own motives.”



It’s not the first time Murray has drawn down on the UMWA. The relationship between Murray and the UMWA goes back to1988 when Murray purchased an Ohio coal mine that came with a 300-strong UMWA-represented workforce.

A 2001 UMWA Journal cover story—“Promises Made, Promises Broken; Exposing the Real Robert Murray”—chronicles the relationship between the union and an increasing volatile and hostile Murray. It was a relationship that began somewhat cordially and ended up in court and before the National Labor Relations Board.

FULL story at link.

[MADem]

1. That guy is in serious hot water if those guys don't walk outta that mine.

And it doesn't look good, does it?