Episode
A Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
38:24
Published: Mon Aug 22 2022
Description
For more than 500 days, coal miners in rural Alabama have been on strike. Around 900 workers walked off the job in April 2021, and they haven’t been back since.As the strike drags on, the miners are discovering that neither political party is willing to fight for them.For Braxton Wright, 39, a second-generation coal miner and, until recently, a Republican, the experience has altered his view of American politics.Guest: Michael Corkery, a business reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: To make ends meet, some striking coal miners in Alabama have picked up work at an Amazon warehouse. It’s the same one where workers have tried to unionize.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
The 500-day-long coal miners' strike in rural Alabama is one of the longest work stoppages in American history.
00:00 - 04:15 (04:15)
Summary
The 500-day-long coal miners' strike in rural Alabama is one of the longest work stoppages in American history. As the miners continue their strike, they are discovering that neither political party is willing to fight for them.
EpisodeA Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
PodcastThe Daily
A former union coal miner shares his disappointment in the false promises made by coal companies regarding restored wages and benefits once the company turned a profit.
04:23 - 13:48 (09:25)
Summary
A former union coal miner shares his disappointment in the false promises made by coal companies regarding restored wages and benefits once the company turned a profit. The podcast mentions the historical meeting between coal operators and miners' chiefs that ended nine months of turmoil in the coal fields.
EpisodeA Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
PodcastThe Daily
A coal miner discusses feeling caught between political parties as both Republicans and Democrats have issues with the union and coal industry.
13:48 - 21:15 (07:26)
Summary
A coal miner discusses feeling caught between political parties as both Republicans and Democrats have issues with the union and coal industry. Despite being deemed essential workers, safety measures have been minimal while working long hours without days off.
EpisodeA Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
PodcastThe Daily
The unionized workers at a strike stood at all the entrances and confronted the replacement workers, sometimes blocking roads and slapping cars.
21:15 - 27:01 (05:45)
Summary
The unionized workers at a strike stood at all the entrances and confronted the replacement workers, sometimes blocking roads and slapping cars. Bernie Sanders has shown support but is considered more of an independent.
EpisodeA Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
PodcastThe Daily
A union worker explains the impact of the union on his workplace, and how it has enabled workers to have a greater impact through collective action.
27:02 - 34:48 (07:46)
Summary
A union worker explains the impact of the union on his workplace, and how it has enabled workers to have a greater impact through collective action. This individual highlights the importance of unions and the support they've received in their efforts to unionize.
EpisodeA Coal Miner’s Political Transformation
PodcastThe Daily
The death of Alexander Dugin's daughter has added another layer to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as Dugin was instrumental in shaping the ideas behind Russia's invasion and is a strong advocate for the war.
34:49 - 38:16 (03:27)
Summary
The death of Alexander Dugin's daughter has added another layer to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as Dugin was instrumental in shaping the ideas behind Russia's invasion and is a strong advocate for the war. The tensions continue to escalate with both countries refusing to back down.