e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online

The UMWA

Labor Movement Section 4 of 12

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The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) was formed in 1890 and soon tried to unionize West Virginia miners through the efforts of national labor leaders such as "Mother" Jones (pictured). It was difficult because they met resistance from coal companies, which used guards and yellow-dog contracts to stop unions.

Early efforts failed, particularly in southern West Virginia, and violent events like the Mine Wars made national news. In the 1930s, President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal gave workers more rights, helping the UMWA finally organize most West Virginia mines.

The union grew strong during World War II, giving miners better pay and benefits. But after the war, machines began replacing miners, and the total number of jobs dropped from about 125,000 in 1950 to less than 15,000 in the early 2000s, while production reached new heights.

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