On a normal shift, the striking laborers are at the workplace ten or more hours. They dress, prepare equipment, and travel in the mine shaft--up to an hour each way--on their own time. The miners and their families want safer working conditions, fair wages, and a six-hour workday.
When their national union leaders seem unsympathetic, some miners create a local union and decide to strike. But this time, conflicting union alliances turn residents of Roslyn, Cle Elem, and Ronald against each other, and the violent battle leaves deep scars. A refreshingly balanced yet personal account, Coal Wars captures a dual union movement and depicts the region's melting pot as well as sociopolitical effects of New Deal policies.