Abstract
In 1970, Miners For Democracy [MFD], a rank-and-file reform group within the United Mine Workers of America [UMWA], filed
suit under the Landrum-Griffin Act to overturn the 1969 UMWA presidential election on grounds of fraud, intimidation, and
corruption. Dissatisfied with the government’s prosecution of the case, MFD lawyers filed suit to gain intervenor status in
the courtroom. Trbovich v. United Mine Workers of America allowed MFD lawyers to join the prosecution and help win the case, setting an important precedent. The election rules resulting
from the Trbovich case created conditions for a fair campaign and an honest count. MFD won the election supervised by the Department of Labor,
providing an important case study of the impact of the LMRDA.
suit under the Landrum-Griffin Act to overturn the 1969 UMWA presidential election on grounds of fraud, intimidation, and
corruption. Dissatisfied with the government’s prosecution of the case, MFD lawyers filed suit to gain intervenor status in
the courtroom. Trbovich v. United Mine Workers of America allowed MFD lawyers to join the prosecution and help win the case, setting an important precedent. The election rules resulting
from the Trbovich case created conditions for a fair campaign and an honest count. MFD won the election supervised by the Department of Labor,
providing an important case study of the impact of the LMRDA.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s12122-010-9097-y
- Authors
- George W. Hopkins, Department of History, College of Charleston, 165 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29424, USA
- Journal Journal of Labor Research
- Online ISSN 1936-4768
- Print ISSN 0195-3613