UMW Plans Stoppage Over NRA Filming
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Updated: 2:51 PM Sep 22, 2008
UMW Plans Stoppage Over NRA Filming
UMWA President Cecil Roberts says a film crew tried to get some miners to distort their opinions on Barack Obama.
Posted: 2:39 PM Sep 22, 2008
Reporter: Scott Saxton
Email Address: scott.saxton@wsaz.com; will.jones@wsaz.com
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UPDATE: Monday @ 2:16pm
From The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - President Cecil Roberts says the United
Mine Workers is planning a brief work stoppage at a Consol Energy
mine after what the union contends was an attempt to get miners to
badmouth Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on camera.

Roberts said the union will call the memorial period at Consol's
Blacksville No. 2 mine next week. UMW contracts allow the periods,
which halt production by allowing members a day off.

Roberts says Consol allowed a National Rifle Association camera
crew to ask UMW workers at the Monongalia County mine leading
questions suggesting Obama opposes gun ownership.

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said Monday the crew was on the property with the mine's permission and had no troubles with the
miners it interviewed.


ORIGINAL STORY: Saturday @ 10:14am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts plans to hold a press conference in Charleston Monday to discuss what he describes as "attempts by a film crew hired by the National Rifle Association to get miners to distort the record of Barack Obama on guns and the 2nd amendment."

“Our members were approached on company property by this film crew and were peppered with questions regarding Sen. Obama’s positions on guns and the 2nd Amendment,” Cecil Roberts said in a press release issued Saturday. “We’re going to talk about that, because it marks a return of the gutter politics of the past by those of the say-anything, do-anything crowd who believe they can continue to use wedge issues to divide West Virginians. They think we’re not smart enough to figure out what they’re doing.”

Coal miners from the Blacksville #2 mine in northern West Virginia will accompany Roberts at the press conference in Charleston.

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Latest Comments

Posted by: Goodness on Sep 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM

I once had a conversation with one of these union members years ago about an upcoming election. He came out with some preposterous witch's tale about the evils of one of the candidates: I mean, really nutty stuff only a complete illiterate or Weekly World News reader would buy. I asked, why do you say that? His reply..."It's what the Union newsletter says." You may not be able to trust the NRA, but you for DANG SURE can't trust the ultra-corrupt and nutbar union leaders of West Virginia, who have sold their own people enough times to start a franchise.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Hope2008 on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:30 PM

Thank you UMW for taking a stand! Obama is our senator here, and I for one, know he is for the constitution...every part of it...including the 2nd amendment. He is not going to take away the right for RESPONSIBLE gun ownership. The NRA doesn't like democrats too much, and will do anything to get another Republican elected. Don't fall for their lies and tricks. By the way, I come from a large family of hunters and they are all voting Obama. Not one of them is worried about losing their guns, but they are worried about losing their jobs and homes.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Sep 23, 2008 at 08:14 PM

Thank you "wv voice of reason on Sep 23, 2008 at 09:36 AM", you hit the nail on the head.
[ Report Abuse ]
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