United Mine Workers of America

United Mine Workers of America. UMWA. , The United Mine Workers of America has fought for workers rights at home and abroad., The UMWA accepts all mine workers regardless of race, religion or national origin., The UMWA was founded in Columbus, Ohio, on January 22, 1890. It was formed when the Knights of Labor merged with the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers., UMWA history is full of renowned leaders and tragic events., Throughout its history, the UMWA has provided leadership to the American labor movement. Among the great UMWA leaders were John L. Lewis, Phil Murray, Bill Green, William B. Wilson, and John Mitchell. Famed labor activist Mother Jones joined forces with the UMWA when they led a rally and strike in the southern coalfields of Colorado in 1903. Stories about notable labor struggles throughout the country have been handed down through generations. Examples include Matewan in West Virginia and the Ludlow Massacre., John L. Lewis officially became UMWA president in 1920. He remained at the helm for 40 years. Lewis built the UMWA into a formidable union, raising the living standards of mine workers throughout North America and transforming health care in Appalachia. His work in creating the Congress of Industrial Organizations (the CIO) in the 1930s brought millions of organized industrial workers into unions. and led to an increase in living standards for millions of American families. , Despite the threat of physical harm and economic ruin, miners have constantly struggled against great odds to achieve better working conditions., Over the years, these accomplishments have included: , . 1898 Congress enacted a law defining an eight-hour work day, although not actively enforced , . 1933 collective bargaining rights , . 1946 Welfare and Retirement Fund. The UMWA Fund built eight hospitals in Appalachia, established numerous clinics and recruited young doctors to practice in rural coal field areas. , . 1969 UMWA convinced Congress to enact the landmark Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The law protected miners' safety and provided compensation for miners suffering from black lung disease., The UMWA continues to work nationally and internationally., While the UMWA's primary role is to speak out on behalf of American coal miners, it also has been active internationally - denouncing apartheid in South Africa and promoting the formation of democratic labor unions abroad. The UMWA now organizes workers in industries ranging as widely as automobile manufacturing to data entry, and from hospitals to steel mills. In Trinidad both the hospital and county workers have organized under the UMWA., Captions , Upper Left: Women march in support of UMWA miners on strike against CF&I, Trinidad, Colorado, ca. 1914 , Lower Left: Unidentified coal miner during the strike, ca. 1913 , Upper Right: Refugees of Ludlow Tent Colony at Trades Assembly Hall, Trinidad, Colorado, April 22, 1914 , Middle Right: John L. Lewis, ca. 1946