Date of Award

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication

Department

Business

First Advisor

Michael Castro

Second Advisor

Edie Barnard

Third Advisor

Joann Haedike

Abstract

This thesis will focus on the dilemma of the present day coal miner in the eastern Kentucky mountains.

Historically, the coal mining profession has been one presenting extremely dangerous work conditions. From its roots in the 1880s, coal mining has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of miners, the majority of these deaths being caused by explosions. Working conditions were horrendous and there was no legislation in place to protect the miner. The life and living conditions of the miner were determined by coal operators who ran coal towns. These towns were the heart of the miners' lives. 'The company provided for sale food and clothing, and even the churches for the families to at-tend. It was a very paternalistic society in which propaganda to keep the miners in line with the way of thinking of the companies prevailed.

But with the lack of safety regulations in place, the companies dictated what was right and wrong. While they dictated, thousands of men died. Legislation took years to mature to actual implementation, and each piece of legislation came after a disaster and a public outcry for reform.

Legislation has taken great strides towards implementing more stringent laws for coal mining safety, and this progress is reflected in the reduction of the number of deaths in the mines. But even with all this in place, there are still safety violations in the mines by the operators that go unnoticed, even with the ever looming fact that an inspector could come along at any time. Miners tell horrendous stories of tasks they are made to do at the risk of their own lives; they report losing their jobs for reporting the violations that take place in order for them to perform these tasks. Dust conditions are still overwhelming after years of study by the Department of the Interior on what procedures need to be in place in order to prevent them.

Just as in the 1800s and early 1900s, the miner seems to be pitted against the mine operator, spouting forth accusations of mistreatment and caring only for the almighty dollar. The mine operator likewise pushes his full weight to keep the miner under control. Stories coming down from generation to generation predispose one side against the other and the antagonistic attitudes continue. The children's minds are programmed with the ideas of their fathers and mothers, perpetrating these attitudes as they are passed on down.

This thesis not only brings about a historical perspective, but humanizes the facts by use of videotaped interviews which personally show opinions of miners, miner advocates, and those put in power to make sure mine safety laws are adhered to. The players in this drama appear to be locked into a mode of thinking that began years ago, which makes it very difficult for each to see the others' side and come to a peaceful conclusion that all are able to work with toward a common good.

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