Why Kentucky Miners Are Blockading a Coal Train
Miners face off with Big Coal in Mitch McConnell’s backyard
As a CSX train engine rolled up from Cloverlick Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon, approaching a group of tired and tense miners standing on the tracks, a moment of confusion came over the crowd. Was the train hauling coal?
For nearly 48 hours, dozens of miners and an ever-growing group of supporters had camped out on the tracks, blocking the path of a train carrying millions of dollars worth of coal — coal they’d pulled from the earth themselves. It had been nearly a month since their employer, Blackjewel LLC, had filed for bankruptcy and stiffed them on their final paychecks. The miners planned to keep that coal at the mine until they got their money.
Earlier Wednesday, they struck a deal with CSX to let its engine pass, but to leave Blackjewel’s cargo behind. After the month the miners of Harlan County have had, though, they’d be forgiven for feeling wary of deals with men wearing tucked-in polo shirts.
“All we want as miners is just what we worked for. What they owe us. Nothing more, nothing less.”
As the engine came into view, it soon became clear that there were no freight…
