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Coal miners were among the first West Virginians to understand the power of organizing and uniting
workers. Environmentalists have borrowed organizing tactics from unions. Even so, unions and environmental groups are often
assumed to be at odds with one another's goals.
Leaders of labor, faith community and environmental groups met Thursday (Dec. 12) to set about overturning that assumption.
"We proved in summer what these diverse groups can do when we unite for a common goal. I think many legislators where stunned
when the public spoke up so fiercely in opposition to increasing coal truck weights," said Delegate Mike Caputo (D-Marion), who is
also West Virginia COMPAC coordinator for the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). "We will certainly work together again
on this issue and we are looking for common goals in other areas."
Caputo was one of two UMWA representatives at Thursday's meeting. Also attending the meeting were representatives of the
Affiliated Construction Trades, Citizens Coal Council, Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign, Justice and Life Office of the
Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, West Virginia Citizen Action Group and West Virginia Rivers
Coalition. The groups will meet again before and during the legislative session, which begins in January.
"We have agreed to try to work together, for the mutual benefit of our members," said Janet Fout, co-director of the Ohio Valley
Environmental Coalition. "Even though there are powerful interests that are attempting to paint us as adversarial, it's obvious that
labor, environmental organizations and the faith community have many common visions for improving the quality of life for everyone
in West Virginia."
"Certainly, environmental and labor groups share many of the ideals that the faith community seeks to advance," said Interfaith
Global Climate Change Campaign coordinator Marcia Leitch, coordinator. "We are working for justice and the equitable sharing of
resources. For the faith community, that means caring for all of Creation."
"It's great that labor and the environmental community are sitting down to discuss common ground and issues. We have a lot more in
common than we do separating us, and this relationship will be a good development for West Virginians," said Jeremy Muller,
director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition.
"We certainly won't see eye to eye on every single issue, but when we unite on common issues, we can make great progress," said
Freda Williams, a member of Coal River Mountain Watch.
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