This 80 year-old, Greek-American miner followed a cousin to America, after three of his brothers were killed in wars with the Turks. He describes early disputes in the coal mines, before unionization, and strike violence at the Hiawatha Mine. Despite being black-listed, Zoolakis remained in the U.M.W.A union since 1922. Earning only $3.15 for an 8-hour day, he still managed to send money to his family in Greece. In the early days, he was hand-loading coal for only 27 cents/ton, up to 18 tons/day. He came to Utah, became a U.S. citizen, and raised 3 sons (none of whom followed into the mines). He worked 49 years and retired from US Steel. In mines, he worked as a helper (assisting with the coal mining machines). There were a couple hundred other Greeks in the Columbia, Utah area. He suffers from some lung problems and knee pain (due to working in "low coal"). He also worked the Castle Gate coal mines. Mrs. Zoolakis was born in Greece also, grew up in Sunnside (Utah), and met her husband in America. Years ago, there were many nationalities in the area, but few conflicts among the diverse community. She reports that people now tend to stick more with their own kind, and that Mormons are more distant with their Gentile neighbors. She proudly describes her 3 sons' careers and families. Of 75 families living in Columbia, all but 2 children got post-secondary education. She worked as a nurse's aide and LPN (in the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Dragerton, Utah), to help put their sons through school. All 3 sons have master's degrees. Her husband worked double shifts in the mine during WWII. She recalls that during the war, there was good money for a short while; soon, the mines began to decline and there were fewer jobs. She worked as an occupational nurse, conducting pre- and post-employment checks for miners. She remembers that 375 men were laid off at one time, and many left the area. Now, she notices some new hiring, as the demand for coal returns. As preparation for her work, she toured a coal mine and found it to be cold and scary. Mr. Zoolakis re-joins the conversation, and both discuss accidents in the mines, such as huge coal chunks crushing a miner. The couple describe "bounces" -- unexpected movements of coal within the mines. When fatalities occurred in mining accidents, the mine foreman and a doctor would notify families at home. Zoolakis's brother was injured in the mine, leading to a succession of other problems and conflicts with the law. These extended internationally to battles during WWI in Crete against the Turks. Zoolakis relates what he knew of a fellow Greek, Louis Tikas from the Ludlow strike; Zoolakis claims the militia offered Tikas $30,000 to leave the strike. The couple describe strikes in their area of Utah -- not in 1933, but in 1937, lasting for 9 months. They received some food commodities, which they supplemented by hunting rabbits and deer. The U.M.W.A was finally recognized by mine operators in 1937. They mention other retirees in the area who might recall the early coal-mining era. They recall their earlier struggles for mine safety, shorter work-days, and union representation.
description
This 80 year-old, Greek-American miner followed a cousin to America, after three of his brothers were killed in wars with the Turks. He describes early disputes in the coal mines, before unionization, and strike violence at the Hiawatha Mine. Despite being black-listed, Zoolakis remained in the U.M.W.A union since 1922. Earning only $3.15 for an 8-hour day, he still managed to send money to his family in Greece. In the early days, he was hand-loading coal for only 27 cents/ton, up to 18 tons/day. He came to Utah, became a U.S. citizen, and raised 3 sons (none of whom followed into the mines). He worked 49 years and retired from US Steel. In mines, he worked as a helper (assisting with the coal mining machines). There were a couple hundred other Greeks in the Columbia, Utah area. He suffers from some lung problems and knee pain (due to working in "low coal"). He also worked the Castle Gate coal mines. Mrs. Zoolakis was born in Greece also, grew up in Sunnside (Utah), and met her husband in America. Years ago, there were many nationalities in the area, but few conflicts among the diverse community. She reports that people now tend to stick more with their own kind, and that Mormons are more distant with their Gentile neighbors. She proudly describes her 3 sons' careers and families. Of 75 families living in Columbia, all but 2 children got post-secondary education. She worked as a nurse's aide and LPN (in the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Dragerton, Utah), to help put their sons through school. All 3 sons have master's degrees. Her husband worked double shifts in the mine during WWII. She recalls that during the war, there was good money for a short while; soon, the mines began to decline and there were fewer jobs. She worked as an occupational nurse, conducting pre- and post-employment checks for miners. She remembers that 375 men were laid off at one time, and many left the area. Now, she notices some new hiring, as the demand for coal returns. As preparation for her work, she toured a coal mine and found it to be cold and scary. Mr. Zoolakis re-joins the conversation, and both discuss accidents in the mines, such as huge coal chunks crushing a miner. The couple describe "bounces" -- unexpected movements of coal within the mines. When fatalities occurred in mining accidents, the mine foreman and a doctor would notify families at home. Zoolakis's brother was injured in the mine, leading to a succession of other problems and conflicts with the law. These extended internationally to battles during WWI in Crete against the Turks. Zoolakis relates what he knew of a fellow Greek, Louis Tikas from the Ludlow strike; Zoolakis claims the militia offered Tikas $30,000 to leave the strike. The couple describe strikes in their area of Utah -- not in 1933, but in 1937, lasting for 9 months. They received some food commodities, which they supplemented by hunting rabbits and deer. The U.M.W.A was finally recognized by mine operators in 1937. They mention other retirees in the area who might recall the early coal-mining era. They recall their earlier struggles for mine safety, shorter work-days, and union representation.
Description
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