Labor: Underground Revolt

For three decades, until his retirement in 1960, John L. Lewis reigned as the uncrowned monarch of West Virginia, where coal is the fundament of kingdom. His heir as boss of the United Mine Workers is no seigneur. After six years in the job, W. A. ("Tony") Boyle is threatened by a rank-and-file revolt that would have been inconceivable in John L.'s day. The disaffection has seriously weakened Boyle's grip on the union, and could even cost him his job.

The U.M.W.'s 140,000 members are vociferously and increasingly critical of the union's cooperation...

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