News of the Day: Upper Big Branch Mine Hearing

Yesterday, Chairman Miller and other Members of the Education and Labor Committee traveled to Beckley, West Virginia to hear from family members of those killed in the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion.

Governor Manchin said, "That is why, since the tragedy at Upper Big Branch, my main objectives have been to: determine what occurred, make certain it does not happen again, and determine whether there was intimidation or any other action at Upper Big Branch that put profits ahead of safety."

Gary Quarles testified, "Safety inspections were much different in the union mines I’ve worked at versus the nonunion Massey mines. When an MSHA inspector comes onto a Massey mine property, the code words go out “we’ve got a man on the property.” Those words are radioed from the guard gates and relayed to all working operations in the mine. The mine superintendent and foreman communicate regularly by phone, and there are signals that require the foreman who is underground to answer the phone. That is one way that the message is conveyed that an inspector is on the property. When the word goes out, all effort is made to correct any deficiencies or direct the inspector’s attention away from any deficiencies."

Stanley "Goose" Stewart recalled, "I also know firsthand how bad conditions were at the mine and want everyone to know. In fact, last July, I told my wife, Mindi, “If anything happens to me, get a lawyer and sue the [blankety blank] out of them! That place is a ticking time bomb.” Only I didn’t say “blankety blank” to her because I was so scared – and mad!"

For audio of this testimony and testimony of others, visit our hearing page, The Upper Big Branch Mine Tragedy: Testimony of Family Members.

Below the fold is the NBC story on the hearing.