The Nation Magazine Contributor Kim Kelly joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed her article, “Black Lung Is Still Killing America’s Coal Miners.”
Kelly talked about how black lung disease has become highly epidemic in America’s coal mining communities, despite being highly preventable. She explained how technological advances that increase coal production and the need to dig deeper into the earth to mine a dwindling resource has caused the disease to reach a 25-year high, and how that has impacted Appalachian mining towns.
Kelly also talked about how the Silica Enforcement Initiative unveiled by Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson that seeks to hold coal companies accountable and reduce the spread of black lung disease.
Finally, Kelly spoke about the Warrior Met coal miners strike and her book, “Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor.”
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.