Unions » Miners dispute smokeless tobacco ban at Deer Creek mine
Jump to full article: Salt Lake Tribune, 2009-07-28
Author: Mike Gorrell The Salt Lake Tribune
Intro: nd are on the line Wednesday.
That's when an arbitrator is scheduled to hear a United Mine Workers of America challenge of a new policy that forbids employees of the Deer Creek mine and the Castle Dale preparation plant from having a pinch between their cheek and gum on the job.
The policy became effective July 1 at the Emery County operations by Energy West Mining Co., the unionized coal mining subsidiary of Rocky Mountain Power, at the behest of its parent companies, PacifiCorp and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.
"It is a policy consistent across MidAmerican Energy," said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Dave Eskelsen. "The company is concerned about the health and safety of its employees. A tobacco-free workplace is healthier and safer for everyone."
Dave Maggio, the union's international representative from Price-based District 22, which includes Utah, spit on that argument, while acknowledging that some miners are addicted to the product.
"We have guys dying of black lung [disease]. We have guys inhaling diesel fumes on a daily basis. We have guys who suffer back, knee and ankle injuries up the kazoo," he said. "But we've seen no ill effects from chewing tobacco. None. And I've been in this industry 30 years.
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