Interview with Joseph Hugh Jones, August 13, 1987

Interview Summary

Hugh Jones, a retired miner and United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) official, discusses his role in the roving pickets' movement of the 1960s. He recalls that this was a particularly rough time and that there was violence in Harlan County. Jones states that the trouble began when the UMWA gave certain mines "sweetheart" contracts, which allowed them to pay less than their share of the union fees. Jones states that the miners were simply attempting to re-establish the power of the union in Harlan County, a county that the union had once dominated. Jones maintains that law enforcement officials generally opposed the Roving Pickets, and harassed them as they attempted to close mines throughout Harlan and Bell counties. Jones also describes where the pickets met and how they planned their protest.

Interview Keyword

"sweetheart contracts" coal strikes District 19 of UMW Harlan County Kentucky Roving Pickets United Mine Workers of America

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Coal miners Coal mines and mining Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--History Jones, Joseph Hugh Jones, Joseph Hugh--Interviews

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.