The miners at the Crandall Canyon mine were obviously too afraid to call the MSHA Hotline to express their fears before the outburst ocurred. Why would anyone think that they will talk to MSHA(honestly)about the conditions of the mine or what they were doing after the last underground inspection on record had been made. They know they'll lose their jobs at any Murray mines or any other non-union mine if they talk.

My husband worked at a union mine and after it shut down (after 24 yrs. of working there) a non-union owner bought it. Fortunately, he was able to quit after a couple of years working non-union. The working conditions were terrible, wages less than union wages, and no medical benefits. In my opinion, if you are a coal miner, paying UMWA dues every month is worth it.

Wasn't Richard Gates the District Manager in that area several years ago??

God Bless all of the families of the trapped miners and those rescue workers that were killed and injured.

These men here make more than union wages. In fact, my husband makes $10/hr more than them and we have excellent health coverage . If the men wanted to talk that wouldn't impede them getting a job at other non-union mines.
Also Crandall Canyon mine was by far the safest mines around. Before the collapse my husband would have preferred to work there as to where he is working now. Our miners are heroes and I pray that God will bless the families of our miners and put an arm of comfort and love around them.

Every one needs to understand that non-union mines owners will not look after there workers and when there is a problem they are first ones to blame some one else.
These terrible accidents that have been occurring have all happended at non-union mines Sago, Darby, etc. The miners at these mines are not prepared to bring up safety issues for fear of repsiral and getting the sack.
The safest coal mines in the world are union mines and this is due to the years of battles and fights by the union to make sure they are safe and coal miners have a voice at the mines to raise the safety issues.
The stronger the union the safer the mine.
Lets hope that this terrible accident and what has happened is not in vain and the outcomes of the investgation prevents this happening again.
Any miner working in a mine who is not a member of the union is doing there family a injustice should something go wrong.

These men here make more than union wages. In fact, my husband makes $10/hr more than them and we have excellent health coverage . If the men wanted to talk that wouldn't impede them getting a job at other non-union mines.
Also Crandall Canyon mine was by far the safest mines around. Before the collapse my husband would have preferred to work there as to where he is working now. Our miners are heroes and I pray that God will bless the families of our miners and put an arm of comfort and love around them.