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11 Dec 11 - 05:53 PM (#3272257) Subject: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Charles Scott Howard, an underground coal miner from Kentucky, who has stood up for safety on the job for many years (and has suffered the consequences), is the subject of a recent folk song titled "Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All". The song was written by Raymond Crooke of Australia and posted on YouTube. It was based on a 9/14/11 Huffington Post article about Mr. Howard that was writtten by Dave Jamieson. Check out the song on You Tube! If more coal miners like Mr. Howard demanded a safe workplace, there would be fewer mining fatalities. |
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12 Dec 11 - 03:45 PM (#3272710) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: Bob the Postman I'm refreshing this because I'm a fan of Raymond Crooke and also a fan of sticking-it-to-the-man songs. |
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12 Dec 11 - 07:30 PM (#3272841) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: Janie Clickified youtube link. Big Coal Don't Like This Man at All |
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13 Dec 11 - 12:47 PM (#3273185) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Janie --- Thank you so much for providing the link to Raymond's song. I should have done so originally, but I'm technologically deficient... Best wishes, Tony |
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05 Jan 12 - 11:23 PM (#3285594) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 If you haven't done so, please watch this Raymond Crooke video (YouTube) about Charles Scott Howard, an eastern Kentucky underground coal miner who has steadfastly stood up for mine safety on the job - and has paid the price for doing so. The case of Scott's discharge by the coal company goes to trial in March, 2012. Big Coal Don't Like This Man [Charles Scott Howard] At All |
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06 Jan 12 - 12:01 AM (#3285615) Subject: Lyr Add: BIG COAL DON'T LIKE THIS MAN AT ALL From: GUEST,999 Charles Scott Howard is an incredibly brave man. He should be the same sort of household name that Martin Luther King was and is. Lyrics to Raymond Crooke's song, 'Big Coal Don't Like This Man at All' BIG COAL DON'T LIKE THIS MAN AT ALL (Raymond Crooke) Mr Charles Scott Howard told the MSHA That using faulty mine seals can blow men's lives away. When the mine seals fail to do their job, that's when miners die. Twelve men died at the Sago Mine; ask the owners why. At Darby Mine another five died before too long. The reason was the seals were weak, and that's when things go wrong. Their widows urged in Lexington, "Don't listen to Big Coal. Strict seal regulations, that must be your goal." [No chorus after first verse] Cumberland River Coal Company thought they were doing fine Till Howard aired a video of the seals down in their mine. "How dare this troublesome miner take films behind our backs Of water spurting out through the broken mine seals' cracks!" Though Howard didn't name the mine, they knew it was his own. Turning on the audio was how they made it known. He said, "They built those seals with the least man hours they could. It's the cheapest way to do it, and surely that's no good." When it comes to miners' safety, he's always on the ball. Big coal don't like this man at all. Mr Charles Scott Howard, he says what he feels. "They shouldn't be allowed to build old, crappy seals. It's an awful shame them fellers had to be smothered to death; For the safety of the miners, I'll fight till my last breath." When the officials saw that video they kicked up quite a row. "I want somebody at that Cumberland mine right now!" It wasn't long till Frazier heard about what had been done. "It's that whistleblowing troublemaking Howard; he's the one!" It's safety versus profits, Howard has no doubt, When miners are endangered, he knows he must speak out. They've fired him and fined him, tried to put him in his place, But the courts just reinstate him. He always wins his case. "When you bite the hand that feeds you, that's when the pressure mounts. 'Cause when you're underneath the ground, coal is all that counts. I'm sorry Mr. Frazier if your hand feels my bites, But I must uphold the safety code and fight for miners' rights." Fighting for miners' safety causes stress and strain. Last summer working underground, there was an injury to his brain, He was found slumped unconscious in his mining car. He still has no memories of that incident so far, But something hit him in the head and damaged his hard hat. It even broke his dentures. Some think they smell a rat. It's an accident that so far nobody can explain, But he's been fighting for the cause and he will fight again. Howard soon became concerned with blocked escapeways too. If there was an emergency nobody could get through, Strewn with rocks as large as fridges, and water that's waist high. Big Coal didn't seem to care if the miners live or die. Howard called the hotline and the fed inspectors came. He owned up to the call so no one else would get the blame. They issued some citations that cost the company dear. The rules are quite specific: you must keep escapeways clear. He wasn't happy with the way the ventilation curtains were hung. Excessive coal dust is dangerous; it brings about black lung. They wouldn't let him see the plans so he thought it would be best To make an official freedom of information request. Tiny coal dust particles can enter with each breath. You don't want to retire out just to choke to death. His granddad suffered horribly from the black lung you should know, And Howard himself was diagnosed with it several years ago. Pappo lived in misery, choking through the night, But he instilled in Howard a sense of what is right. His theory was the boss should treat an employee like a son. If you show your appreciation then half the battle's won. Howard drove the ram car, hauling coal to the conveyor belt And anytime the ventilation was no good he felt, He blocked the roadway with his car, so nothing could leave the hole. "You give me some air", he'd say, "and I'll give you the coal." When the problem wasn't rectified he filed a complaint again. He felt that doing nothing was endangering the men. For violating its own plans the mine was cited too. They promoted Howard to a job where he had no work to do. Howard finally lost his job in two thousand and nine. There was a mass layoff of men at Cumberland River mine. According to seniority so it seemed to all make sense, But he was the most senior sacked. Was it just coincidence? "The coal must flow or you must go," is what the bosses say. They can't make healthy profits with safety issues in the way. In the mines and other places the unions have declined, So when you stand up to the bosses, who will stand behind? Howard joined his lawyer, Mr Tony Oppegard, And for the rights of miners continues fighting hard. "I've put one foot on a banana peel and my neck into a noose, But it's worth it when you know that what you're doing is of use." from http://raymondfolk.wetpaint.com/page/Big+Coal+Don%27t+Like+This+Man+At+all |
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06 Jan 12 - 12:26 AM (#3285633) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Okay. I messed up the link above... Here it is. Please watch. Big Coal Don't Like This Man [Charles Scott Howard] At All |
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19 Jun 12 - 11:27 AM (#3365465) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Scott Howard's safety discrimination case went to trial in March, 2012, and the Judge just issued her decision the other day. She found that Cumberland River Coal Company was gulity of "blatant discrimination" in firing Mr. Howard on May 16, 2011, and she ordered the company to reinstate him immediately. Here is a link to a 6/19/12 Huffington Post article about the case. The article includes a link to Raymond Crooke's song on YouTube. Kentucky Coal Miner Wins Legal Battle |
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19 Jun 12 - 11:35 AM (#3365469) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: peregrina congratulations to a courageous man and his lawyer, and a just judge |
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19 Jun 12 - 02:38 PM (#3365531) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: gnu Hear hear! Loved the vid. Thanks. |
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19 Jun 12 - 05:16 PM (#3365571) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: Richard Bridge Nice to see that sometimes there is some justice. Here in the UK our government is trying to water down health and safety. |
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19 Jun 12 - 08:33 PM (#3365657) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST,BanjoRay Interesting the difference in safety standards between British and American mines. He took a video of conditions in a Kentucky mine - in a British mine, using uncertified electrical equipment (like a video camera) underground would be an instant sacking offence because of the possibility of it causing an explosion. The mines inspectors in the UK seem to be much stricter than they are in Kentucky - management there seem to get away with murder..... Ray (ex British Coal scientist) |
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19 Jun 12 - 10:39 PM (#3365713) Subject: RE: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 BanjoRay --- I don't know about British coal mining laws, but in America it is not unlawful to take photos underground unless you are beyond the last open crosscut (where the coal is cut and there typically is more methane) or in the return aircourse (where there also would be more methane and coal dust). For instance, it is not unlawful to videotape in the intake aircourse. The video that Mr. Howard took was not in a prohibited area so it did not pose a safety hazard. By the way, there is no such thing as a "permissible" or "certified"(i.e., explosion-proof) camera. Therefore, the determining factor as to whether videotaping is lawful in America is the location in the mine where it is done. Mr. Howard is no doubt the only American miner EVER to show a video of unsafe conditions to federal mining officials in a public forum. That is when his troubles with his employer began. Best wishes --- Tony |
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20 Jun 12 - 05:50 PM (#3365991) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: BanjoRay Thanks for that, Tony. In British mines you are in a prohibited area as soon as you enter any part of the mine whether intake or return airways. During my career I took some still pictures underground using a totally mechanical film camera with a special approved flash gun. At least I was told it was approved, and I only did it the once - who knows! Cheers Ray |
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21 Jun 12 - 01:44 AM (#3366126) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Raymond Crooke's fine tribute to Charles Scott Howard now has more than 2,100 hits on YouTube! Send the link to your friends and colleagues ! |
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21 Jun 12 - 03:15 AM (#3366133) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST,999 Link to the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljtxjFKB718 |
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21 Jun 12 - 03:32 AM (#3366137) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST,999 I tried to post a comment of support to the YouTube video, but I cannot figure out how to do that. |
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21 Jun 12 - 01:06 PM (#3366290) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Guest 999 - You just need to create a You Tube username and password to be able to post comments. It's easy to do. I'm sure Mr. Howard would appreciate comments of support! |
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21 Jun 12 - 01:09 PM (#3366293) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST,999 I have a YouTube account. I saw no place to post a reply other than to another video that was there about 6 posts from the top. I was logged in. |
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21 Jun 12 - 02:02 PM (#3366317) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST Yo, 2581. My YouTube name is TBM 1066. Since I seem not to know how to post, could you please put the following on there for me? To CS Howard's son: Your father is a very courageous man. He knows the risks involved with his actions, because speaking out against coal companies carries with it certain possible recriminations. I hope you're in touch with your dad frequently. Please tell him from me that he is speaking for miners all over this world: for those who have no voice or who lack the ability to do as he is doing. I'm a Canadian, and on behalf of my grandfather (1884-1960) who began his coal mining in England when he was almost a teenager, thank you from deep inside my heart. Special thanks to Raymond Crooke for the song. Y'all done good. Bruce M. |
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22 Jun 12 - 04:56 AM (#3366544) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Guest 999 -- The location you mentioned several posts down IS where you post a comment regarding "Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All". Don't let the video response song there fool you. You would have to click on that gospel song in order to post a comment about it. |
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22 Jun 12 - 02:29 PM (#3366753) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST,999 The deed is done and it was my pleasure to do so. Thank you 2581. |
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11 Jun 13 - 09:21 PM (#3525416) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: 2581 Here's an update on Kentucky coal miner/mine safety activist Charles Scott Howard, who is the subject of Raymond Crooke's folk song, "Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All", which is posted on YouTube (see link below). On April 4, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit issued its decision on the appeal filed by Cumberland River Coal Company. The appellate court upheld the trial judge's decision in all respects. The Court ruled that there was substantial evidence in the record to support the judge's finding that "CRCC's business justification [defense] was simply a pretext designed to mask the true reason" that it had discharged Howard - i.e., because of his safety activities. It ruled that the judge "properly found CRCC's business justification to be weak, outside of normal business practices, and pretextual". With regard to CRCC's argument that it would be unsafe for Howard to continue working underground, the appellate court summarily rejected it, saying that "CRCC has no viable safety argument in this particular case". The U.S. Court of Appeals' ruling means that Howard is now permanently reinstated to his former position with CRCC. He has been back on the job since July 27, 2012. "Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All" |
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11 Jun 13 - 09:30 PM (#3525417) Subject: RE: Song: Big Coal Don't Like This Man At All From: GUEST Whoa, Nelly. Great news that describes David and Goliath to a nub. |