MovieChat Forums > Matewan (1987) Discussion > So did they ever get union organization?

So did they ever get union organization?

posted 11 years ago by sonofbeach-sheet
3 replies | jump to latest

It wasn't clear by the end of this movie and I figured the Baldwin Felts agents would never let it happen unless it was over their dead bodies

[–] silverwhistle 11 years ago

It took a long time. I suggest you take a look at the documentary, Even the Heavens Weep (the title is taken from something that was said at the funeral of Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers in 1921), which is around in installments on YouTube, and gives the full story of the Mine Wars.

Seingner Conrat, tot per vostr'amor chan
http://www.silverwhistle.co.uk/knightlife

[–] QueenTalon 8 years ago

You may also want to check out the American Experience episode called "The Mine Wars." It goes into greater detail and is wonderful.

[–] coachball2709 8 years ago

I grew up in Matewan and my father and family were coal miners. The union did make it to the area and made for a good life of the people there. Still a hard and dangerous life but a good one. Sadly the union was broken in the mid to late 90s and it's a tough place to live now.

It's a dying area with the EPA and Obama declaring war on coal. Unemployment and drugs are running rampant. Small towns like Big Creek, Welch, Bluefield are dying. If the union hadn't been broken I think the area wouldn't be in such bad shape.