US coal mine collapse traps six-Utah - Thread No. 3

[cheko1]

I am quite certain many of the families are totally beside themselves, not only in grief but knowing what steps to take. They ALL NEED a lawyer.....
I sincerely hope each family hires one, it will be needed for numerous things. Not everyone knows what steps to take to get the benefits.

There as you point out many many things to take care of legally. The ones with small kids need to file for social security for the kids. The paperwork alone is massive. Since there is no death certificate & body SS isn't very accomodating. Each family will probably have to really fight to get life insurance benefits.

It will be very ugly to say the least. My heart goes out to all families associated with CCM.

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

HUNTINGTON -- A miners union says it's now representing workers at the nonunion Crandall Canyon mine on safety issues and in any discussion involving the rescue or recovery of six men trapped in the mine.

Bob Butero, of the United Mine Workers of America office in Wheat Ridge, Colo., arrived at the mine's entrance Friday afternoon to serve a notice to the Emery County Sheriff's Office that his organization will be representing miners in future discussions about Crandall Canyon.

In an interview outside the sheriff's command post, Butero cited a section of federal law allowing a union to represent nonunion mine workers when two or more miners request it.

He would not say how many miners requested the union's assistance.

"They felt in this process there wasn't a representative of the miners," Butero said.

"I guess they felt left out," he added.

The union will represent Crandall Canyon workers in all discussions involving the Mine Safety and Health Administration, including those discussions about how to proceed with the recovery of the six miners, trapped in a mine collapse Aug. 6, Butero said. The union's presence does not mean Crandall Canyon workers have organized, he said.

More at link: http://origin.sltrib.com/ci_6710264

 

[beagledog]

yes, yes...thanks from me also....i'll keep an eye on these links!

...eta.....added ksl.com to my faves to keep up, locally....

You are both welcome. I thought you might want to read some opinions of the locals on the mine disaster.

I was born and raised near the area where the mining disaster occurred. I don't live there any more, but I am still in Utah. I know one of the 6 men trapped in the mine. Although I haven't talked to him since I moved out of the years ago, I still feel horrible for him and his family.

 

[browneyes]

You are both welcome. I thought you might want to read some opinions of the locals on the mine disaster.

I was born and raised near the area where the mining disaster occurred. I don't live there any more, but I am still in Utah. I know one of the 6 men trapped in the mine. Although I haven't talked to him since I moved out of the years ago, I still feel horrible for him and his family.

Thank you for the links beagle. I enjoyed reading the comments. This is such a tragedy.....my prayers to all the families and friends involved. :blowkiss:

 

[Buzz Mills]

I am quite certain many of the families are totally beside themselves, not only in grief but knowing what steps to take. They ALL NEED a lawyer.....
I sincerely hope each family hires one, it will be needed for numerous things. Not everyone knows what steps to take to get the benefits.

There as you point out many many things to take care of legally. The ones with small kids need to file for social security for the kids. The paperwork alone is massive. Since there is no death certificate & body SS isn't very accomodating. Each family will probably have to really fight to get life insurance benefits.

It will be very ugly to say the least. My heart goes out to all families associated with CCM.

The only people who are going to win in this are the lawyers.

I can't imagine that the victim's families won't have all the free help that they need to take care of any, and all, paperwork.

 

[close_enough]

You are both welcome. I thought you might want to read some opinions of the locals on the mine disaster.

I was born and raised near the area where the mining disaster occurred. I don't live there any more, but I am still in Utah. I know one of the 6 men trapped in the mine. Although I haven't talked to him since I moved out of the years ago, I still feel horrible for him and his family.

yes....reading what the locals are saying is very interesting, imo.......sorry for your loss of an old friend, also....i want to be upbeat/hopeful about these 6 men, but it's not easy, as so many days have gone by

 

[beagledog]

yes....reading what the locals are saying is very interesting, imo.......sorry for your loss of an old friend, also....i want to be upbeat/hopeful about these 6 men, but it's not easy, as so many days have gone by

I wish that they were still alive, but unfortunately I think that the initial collapse killed them instantly. I really feel for their families.

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

August 24th, 2007 @ 5:05pm


AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Trent Nelson
Sarah Dallof Reporting

There is speculation this afternoon that mine owner Bob Murray may close all Utah mines on Oct. 1. A spokesperson for Murray Energy, Inc. would neither confirm nor deny the rumors.

Meanwhile,it is day 19 in the search for six miners trapped by a collapse in the Crandall Canyon Mine. And while there's little news to report, the communities surrounding the mine say there's still reason to hope.

The community continues to rally around the families of the miners as well as those rescuers killed in the collapse.

Tonight at 6:00, there will be a fund-raiser on Main Street in Helper. Along with live music and a raffle, there are sure to be prayers because praying is what the family has asked the community to do.
Meanwhile, the United Mine Workers Union is now officially involved in the Crandall Canyon Mine situation. Notice was served this afternoon that the organization will be representing miners in future plans about what happens at Crandall Canyon coal mine.

More at link: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1689307

 

[Buzz Mills]

August 24th, 2007 @ 5:05pm


AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Trent Nelson
Sarah Dallof Reporting

There is speculation this afternoon that mine owner Bob Murray may close all Utah mines on Oct. 1. A spokesperson for Murray Energy, Inc. would neither confirm nor deny the rumors.

Meanwhile,it is day 19 in the search for six miners trapped by a collapse in the Crandall Canyon Mine. And while there's little news to report, the communities surrounding the mine say there's still reason to hope.

There are no winners. Only the lawyers for what they can get out of the situation.

The community continues to rally around the families of the miners as well as those rescuers killed in the collapse.

Tonight at 6:00, there will be a fund-raiser on Main Street in Helper. Along with live music and a raffle, there are sure to be prayers because praying is what the family has asked the community to do.
Meanwhile, the United Mine Workers Union is now officially involved in the Crandall Canyon Mine situation. Notice was served this afternoon that the organization will be representing miners in future plans about what happens at Crandall Canyon coal mine.

More at link: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1689307

That's it, a closed mine, mine workers without jobs, and Murray possibly ceasing all mining operations in Utah. Well, fortunately the price of coal is high, so there may be other operators in the surrounding counties.

There are no winners in this situation. Only the attorneys to pick at the the bones to see what they can get.

I don't know how much the dues are for the United Mine Workers.

The BSD believes that UMWA retiree dues are a small price to pay for the services our offices provide. In fact, the money saved by utilizing the BSD's services and experienced staff means more money in your pocket. Your $6 dues subsidize the BSD's offices and help us maintain them in order to provide you quality service and ensure you're not taken advantage of by health care providers, insurance carriers or corrupt lawyers.

Which brings me to my point. It has come to our attention that there are retirees out there who have fallen by the wayside and are either forgetting or refusing to pay dues. In fact, I have heard some even boast about receiving benefits without paying dues. To retirees in that category, this letter should serve as a wake-up call.

Beginning today, every UMWA retiree who visits a BSD office will have his or her dues status checked. If it's determined that you are not paying dues, you will no longer be eligible to receive BSD services. To reinstate your eligibilty, you will be required to sign a dues check-off authorization.

It's the BSD's hope that loyal, dues-paying UMWA retirees will contact those you know not currently paying dues and encourage them to once again become an active and integral part of our great union. Remind them of the sacrifices and struggles that led to the benefits and health care coverage they enjoy today. Ask them if that $6 payment is worth the security of knowing that a catastrophic illness won't send them into bankruptcy. Let me end on this note. You can get more done with a helping hand than a closed fist. Brothers and sisters, come home again. WE NEED YOU!

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

Hmmm..UMWA sure seems like a nice bunch of fellers' don't they?

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

This link is to a .pdf file that lists all the coal mines in Utah. I would hope that if Murray does decide to shut down his other coal mines that the miners would be able to find jobs in other mines in the area. They would probably be given top priority in the hiring process.

https://fs.ogm.utah.gov/PUB/MINES/Coal_Related/MAPS/pubrecmap.pdf

http://168.179.220.114/idev/coalmines/coalsiteinfo.php

 

[Buzz Mills]

Hmmm..UMWA sure seems like a nice bunch of fellers' don't they?

Just like the AFL-CIO steelworkers union that my father and brother belonged to for so many years. I can remember all of the strikes.

 

[Buzz Mills]

This link is to a .pdf file that lists all the coal mines in Utah. I would hope that if Murray does decide to shut down his other coal mines that the miners would be able to find jobs in other mines in the area. They would probably be given top priority in the hiring process.

https://fs.ogm.utah.gov/PUB/MINES/Coal_Related/MAPS/pubrecmap.pdf

http://168.179.220.114/idev/coalmines/coalsiteinfo.php

Price, Utah--about 8,000 people. $30,000 median family income.

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

Right, they aren't getting rich there!

Price, Utah--about 8,000 people. $30,000 median family income.

 

[dark_shadows]

This link is to a .pdf file that lists all the coal mines in Utah. I would hope that if Murray does decide to shut down his other coal mines that the miners would be able to find jobs in other mines in the area. They would probably be given top priority in the hiring process.

https://fs.ogm.utah.gov/PUB/MINES/Coal_Related/MAPS/pubrecmap.pdf

http://168.179.220.114/idev/coalmines/coalsiteinfo.php

To very dear RKnowley,:blowkiss:
Thank-you so very much.

All of my Love and Respect to you,
dark_shadows

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

dark_shadows :blowkiss: You are so welcome.

To very dear RKnowley,:blowkiss:
Thank-you so very much.

All of my Love and Respect to you,
dark_shadows

 

[dark_shadows]

dark_shadows :blowkiss: You are so welcome.

All of my heartfelt Love and Respect to you.

Yours truly,
dark_shadows

 

[CaliKid]

This is just so sad. Bad enough to know your loved one is most likely dead, but not to be able to lay him to rest must just crush them. beagledog, you and others who cared about these men have my prayers and sympathy.

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

This is so wonderful that all this money is being raised for the families.

August 24th, 2007 @ 10:00pm
Read it in Spanish

Sarah Dallof Reporting

While there is anger in the community, tonight the focus was on love and support for the families of the six trapped miners.

A fundraiser in Helper Friday night raised tens of thousands of dollars. We counted $32,000 in big corporate and family donations, and that was before the real bidding began.

In a town where good news is painfully slow to surface, the money poured in Friday night at lightning speed.
Rebecca Whipple spent $1,000 at the auction. "I've got three beautiful quilts. One was $500. One was $350."

Helper City pulled together the fundraiser in less than a week, relying on generous neighbors to bring in auction items, then step up to the plate to donate. They weren't disappointed.

John Jones, a Helper City Council member, said, "It's a great outcry from our county saying hey, we care. We want you to be OK and we want you to know we're here."

But amid the friendly competition for top bid, a solemn reminder of the reason for the fundraiser. Six miners trapped, three rescuers dead, another two seriously injured. Prayers were said and candles lit for all. And following a moment of silence, big donors stepped forward carrying checks for thousands of dollars.
Paula Christensen, the cousin of trapped miner Don Erickson, said, "Everybody knows everybody, so everybody is willing to give and do what they can."

More at link: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1689307

 

[Earthbound Misfit I]

(KSL News) KSL has obtained a confrontational letter that Crandall Canyon mine owner Robert Murray sent to Governor Huntsman and gave to miners' families on Wednesday.

In it, Murray refers to a KSL Radio Nightside Project interview in which the governor said, "If it takes every dollar this guy has in his bank account, he needs to bring closure to this darn thing."

Murray writes, "Governor Huntsman, I suggest that, for your own sake, you address me as my employees do, as Mr. Murray, as you have shown the ultimate disrespect to the heroes who have died and were maimed last Thursday, August 16, and whose bodies I helped recover with my own hands."

"… if you persist in your statements and course of action, you, Governor, are going to jeopardize the 700 jobs in Carbon and Emery Counties. I cannot maintain them alone, and I definitely cannot do it if I am going to be your whipping-boy."
Friday night the governor's office told us he is only looking to the future to ensure closure for the families and safety for the miners.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1693806