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HUNTINGTON - The United Mine Workers union would not oppose a ban on mountaintop removal as a "long-term goal" for Appalachia, a union spokesman says. By Ken Ward Jr. Staff writer HUNTINGTON - The United Mine Workers union would not oppose a ban on mountaintop removal as a "long-term goal" for Appalachia, a union spokesman says.
Only a handful of mountaintop removal operations are unionized. Union officials don't want to abandon those UMW members.
But union officials say they understand that local residents have serious concerns about mountaintop removal's impacts, and the UMW is willing to talk with coalfield citizens who are working to try to abolish the practice.
"As a long-term goal, I don't think we would be opposed to that," said Phil Smith, communications director for the union and chief spokesman for UMW President Cecil Roberts.
"This is something we ought to be talking about," Smith said. "This is an agenda for future discussions."
Historically, the UMW's position on strip mining has been mixed.
Full Story: http://wvgazette.com/News/200804050411