The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902, which officially began on June 2, was a strike action of anthracitecoal miners in the Coal Region of northeastern Pennsylvania in the United States. It built on the Bituminous Coal Strike of 1897 and the Anthracite Coal Strike of 1900. 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... Strike action (or simply strike) describes collective action undertaken by groups of workers in the form of a refusal to perform work. ... Anthracite coal Anthracite is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high luster. ... Wyoming coal mine Coal mining is the mining of coal. ... The Coal Region is a term used to refer to an area of Northeastern Pennsylvania comprised by Lackawanna, Luzerne, Carbon, Columbia and Schuylkill counties. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd) - Land 116,074 km² - Water 3,208 km² (2. ...
The main contributor to the strike of 1902 was the anthracitecoalstrike of 1900 that occurred in the same region (Williams 1904).
The main bargaining point for the coal miners was for an increase in wages because wages in the anthracite fields had been stagnant for over a year and a half.
Because of the coal operators' refusal to bargain, John Mitchell called a strike of the anthracite miners in September of 1900.
In a general way it may be said that the strike was precipitated by the leaders of the mine workers' union because they saw a chance in the face of a rising market and an enormous demand for coal to win the battle, and, if successful, greatly to strengthen their union.
It is at this point that the "docker" stands beside a flboard bearing the number of each miner, and as the coal is passed from the car upon the big slides the "docker" watches it closely and charges against each man the amount he considers fair in accordance with the impurities in the coal.
It is one thing to vote for a strike when the exciting words of a labor leader arc being poured into one's ears, and it is frequently a very difterent thing to stick to the resolution such action means that the family larder must go unfilled.