Feature Stories
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Don’t Leave Leadership Training to Chance
April 17, 2012
From 1974 through 1976 the coal mine in which I worked experienced a number of wildcat strikes. Several of these strikes lasted more than a week. During this time, I was a member of the United Mine Workers of America
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Dialogue Essential Between Managers, Workers
April 10, 2012
An almost mystical occurrence in mining culture of the 1970s was the wildcat strike. Wildcat strikes were a show of power by the union. The philosophy of some union officials was to strike first and talk later. However, the company’s
Helping Make Wishes Come True
April 3, 2012
This year, the CONSOL Energy Golf Outing and Dinner on Saturday, May 19 at Cedarbrook Golf Course, celebrates 16 years of making wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Since its start in
Coal: The Rock That Burns
March 21, 2012
Coal is very low on the scale of subjects for ballads or charming folklore. Like Rodney Dangerfield, it just doesn’t get any respect. What does a naughty boy get in his Christmas stocking? A lump of coal. As a career,
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Respectful Power Creates Success
March 21, 2012
The coal mining process with which I had the most experience is called Room and Pillar. A continuous miner cut five tunnels and crosscuts to connect them on 60-foot centers. Mining in this way left 40-foot blocks of coal to
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Leaders Focus on Small and Large Safety Rules
March 7, 2012
One day while in the coal mine, we were forced to evacuate due to a mine fire. Later, we learned that a track haulage motor while carrying a piece of equipment had gotten caught against a piece of live trolley
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Leaders Improve Culture Through Dialogue
February 15, 2012
In the 1970s, “greasing” is a well-documented and nasty ritual in the underground coal mining culture involving veteran and new miners. In most cases, greasings happened at the end of the shift when the men were preparing to leave the
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Tips to Resolve Conflicts at Work
January 27, 2012
When I was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, I believed it was my duty and in my personal interest to understand the contract inside out. I read it over and over again and soon felt I
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Respectful Communication Builds Workplace Trust
January 11, 2012
I once had a supervisor who seemed to mistrust everyone on the crew. He was not totally without cause since the mechanic made fun of him at every opportunity. One week I was sick but still worked everyday. However, I
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons:Goal Setting and Perseverence Led to Success
December 27, 2011
When I worked in the coal mine in the mid-1970s, I was also pursuing my undergraduate degree, taking two courses a quarter at the Eastern Campus of Ohio University in St. Clairsville. I was on shift work and taking classes
