The Event: Strike by Pennsylvanian anthracite coal miners seeking safer conditions, better pay, and recognition of the mine workers’ union
Date: May 12, 1902-October 23, 1902
Place: Eastern Pennsylvania
Significance: The strike negotiations marked the first time a sitting president intervened in a strike, citing national safety as the reason.
Following 1897’s successful bituminous coal strike, John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), led a strike in 1900 to benefit Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal miners. Hoping to avoid an election-year disaster, the Republican Party negotiated a settlement, raising workers’ salaries. However, some issues were left unresolved, including the fact that the United Mine Workers of America was not recognized as a legal union. The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 resulted from these unresolved issues.
Mitchell tried to negotiate concessions for the anthracite coal miners similar to those granted to the bituminous coal miners.Hewanted a 20 percent wage increase, an eight-hour workday, and recognition of the UMWA’s legitimacy.Whenthe mine owners refused to deal with Mitchell or to recognize the United Mine Workers of America, a nonviolent strike was called. On May 12, the coal miners struck. They were joined by firefighters, pumpmen, and engineers on June 2. Of the 147,000 miners who struck, 30,000 permanently left the region; about 8,000 to 10,000 emigrated to Europe.
Fearing a heating-fuel shortage, President Theodore Roosevelt decided to intervene personally in the strike. Convinced by Attorney General Philander C. Knox that he needed to remain on the sidelines, Roosevelt appointed a panel to research the situation and make recommendations. Research showed that, although the mine workers’ situation was not as bad as they claimed, there was room for reform. On October 3, Roosevelt called a meeting between Mitchell and the owners. The union appeared ready to negotiate in good faith; it accepted the creation of a commission to recommend reasonable reforms, but the owners did not. The owners’ spokesperson, George Baer, claimed that the workers were not worthy of consideration and thatGodwas on the side of the owners. This attitude caused public opinion to swing to the union’s side. The meeting ended with the creation of a seven-member commission that represented the owners, businessmen, workers, politicians, and clergy.With the creation of the commission, the strike ended on October 23, 1902.
The commission’s findings resulted in a series of compromises. The union’s demands were all partially met; miners received a 10 percent wage increase, a nine-hour workday, and the establishment of a permanent arbitration board. The strike set a precedent for presidential involvement in settling labor disputes. It helped legitimize union representation and supported the development of progressive business practices.

Further Reading
Janosov, Robert A. Great Strike: Perspectives on the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike. Easton, Pa.: Center for Canal History and Technology, 2002.
Zane, J. Robert. 1902! The Great Coal Strike in Shenandoah, Pa.: A True Story of Martial Law in an Anthracite Mining Community. Frackville, Pa.: Broad Mountain, 2004.
See also: Coal industry; Labor history; Labor strikes; United Mine Workers of America.