https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/02/us/kentucky-blackjewel-coal-miners/index.html
Cumberland, Kentucky (CNN)You can't miss it on the side of the highway.
It's an encampment of pop up tents congregated on and around railway tracks, tucked away in a narrow valley near Cumberland, Kentucky. A cornhole game lies in the middle of the tracks, ready for people to use to pass the time.
What you can't see from the highway is a mine and a train full of coal that is blocked by the encampment that sits in the middle of the tracks.
Coal miners, current and former, with family and other supporters, are there with one demand: The pay they say they are owed after their employer, Blackjewel, declared bankruptcy on July 1.
They are in a legal limbo -- they were never technically laid off by Blackjewel, they say, which complicates their situations.
Coal miners in Trump country block train in bitter fight 01:42
"Some of these guys have family members who are sick. They don't have healthcare. They can't get their unemployment just because it was cut out of their checks but it was never paid in," Cumberland Mayor Charles Raleigh told CNN. "Their 401Ks are deadlocked because they haven't technically quit. They haven't been laid off. Then you've got child support that, you know, it's been cut out of these guys' checks, never got paid in, so now some of them are getting warrants. And it's just not right."
Roughly 350 miners from Harlan County alone are caught in the payment showdown after their paychecks bounced in July. One of their attorneys, Joe Childers, said he estimates Blackjewel owes its 1,700 miners approximately $5 million total in back pay, or about $3,000 per miner.
The miners here feel that some of that money is being held in the coal in the back of the train they are blocking from leaving the mine. Raleigh said the coal is believed to be worth more than $1 million.
The cluster of tents has been there for five days, enduring rain and hot temperatures brought by a glaring sun. Supporters from local churches and even the owner of a nearby Chinese restaurant have come by to bring food and supplies to the miners.
But the miners say that one notable voice has been absent among their support.
"We're struggling," Brandon Pearson said. "And I hope and I pray that Donald Trump can see my message and hear my voice. I'm just one of many voices crying out, saying we need help we need something and we need him here."
Cumberland, Kentucky (CNN)You can't miss it on the side of the highway.
It's an encampment of pop up tents congregated on and around railway tracks, tucked away in a narrow valley near Cumberland, Kentucky. A cornhole game lies in the middle of the tracks, ready for people to use to pass the time.
What you can't see from the highway is a mine and a train full of coal that is blocked by the encampment that sits in the middle of the tracks.
Coal miners, current and former, with family and other supporters, are there with one demand: The pay they say they are owed after their employer, Blackjewel, declared bankruptcy on July 1.
They are in a legal limbo -- they were never technically laid off by Blackjewel, they say, which complicates their situations.
Coal miners in Trump country block train in bitter fight 01:42
"Some of these guys have family members who are sick. They don't have healthcare. They can't get their unemployment just because it was cut out of their checks but it was never paid in," Cumberland Mayor Charles Raleigh told CNN. "Their 401Ks are deadlocked because they haven't technically quit. They haven't been laid off. Then you've got child support that, you know, it's been cut out of these guys' checks, never got paid in, so now some of them are getting warrants. And it's just not right."
Roughly 350 miners from Harlan County alone are caught in the payment showdown after their paychecks bounced in July. One of their attorneys, Joe Childers, said he estimates Blackjewel owes its 1,700 miners approximately $5 million total in back pay, or about $3,000 per miner.
The miners here feel that some of that money is being held in the coal in the back of the train they are blocking from leaving the mine. Raleigh said the coal is believed to be worth more than $1 million.
The cluster of tents has been there for five days, enduring rain and hot temperatures brought by a glaring sun. Supporters from local churches and even the owner of a nearby Chinese restaurant have come by to bring food and supplies to the miners.
But the miners say that one notable voice has been absent among their support.
"We're struggling," Brandon Pearson said. "And I hope and I pray that Donald Trump can see my message and hear my voice. I'm just one of many voices crying out, saying we need help we need something and we need him here."
