Concern for the Workers
This book details safety precautions that are in place to protect miners against any kind of gas leaks. In this period of time there were great strains between unionized coal mine workers and non-unionized workers. Their dedication to safety never faltered, however. In fact, Kansas District 14 rebelled against laws put into place during the early 1920s that would allow for shut down and wage differentials between unionized and non-unionized workers.
As summarized by the Environmental Caucus website, "In another state, Kansas (District 14) the officials of the United Mine Workers of America are trying to force the members to live up to the award and agreement. The Kansas miners struck against the Industrial Court Law, regardless of the sacred contract above mentioned, and the head officials of the union furnished strike-breakers. At the same time the organized miners of Illinois (District 12) assessed themselves to support the striking miners of Kansas, that is, they assessed themselves to fight their own national officers, who also declared the assessment illegal."
In other words, the workers of Kansas rebelled against the imposed ability of the national officers to mandate wages and close down "non productive" mines. The national officers even sent in strike-breakers, which were workers who would work at places that were under strike, which makes the strike useless. Kansas and its districts were in the minority against the oppressive national officials. In addition to the strike against the national officers, the District itself also put into effect a constitution for their own workers.
