Interview with Tony Funich, August 19, 1986

Partial Transcript: Well, I guess we can talk about something now.

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about working in the mines with gas as a danger. [Television plays in the background throughout the interview.]

Keywords: Advice; Dangers; Safety concerns; Safety lights; Working conditions

Subjects: Coal mines and mining.; Gas; Safety lamps

Partial Transcript: Uh-uh! No, I got to go.

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about the price of coal by the ton, coal miners salaries, and safety concerns. He also talks about the use of gas and electricity in the mines.

Keywords: Gas in mines; Mining injury; Preferences; Safety concerns; Salaries; Working condition

Subjects: Coal miners; Coal mines and mining--Pennsylvania; Coal-Prices; Electricity; Pennsylvania

Partial Transcript: Well, how much you say to do...

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about a days work.

Keywords: Helping each other; Watch out for each other

Subjects: Work

Partial Transcript: Yeah, I tell the inspectors, I tell the inspectors...

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about gathering coal using a belt or a coal car. He also talks about coal miners having to buy their own work supplies.

Keywords: Buying; Coal belts; Coal cars; Loading coal; Work supplies; Working conditions

Subjects: Coal miners; Coal mines and mining; Helping behavior; Salaries

Partial Transcript: After government take--anyplace before the company pay money...

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about safety and helping each other. He also talks about the ownership of the mines.

Keywords: Company ownership; Mine ownership

Subjects: Active learning; Coal miners--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I don't want to make the company mad.

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about the process of placing cables and caps in the mines, and other jobs.

Keywords: Jobs in the mines; Learning; On-site training; Placing caps; Running cable

Subjects: Coal miners--Kentucky; Coal mines and mining; Lynch (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Yeah, one time. Rupture.

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about the accidents in mines. He also talks about the coal mines baseball teams and players.

Keywords: Accidents; Baseball teams; Coal mines; On the job; Outside the mines; Transportation; Working; Working conditions

Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Benham (Ky.); Coal miners--Kentucky; Coal mines and mining; Lynch (Ky.); Unions, Labor; Walking

Partial Transcript: Oh, my they change, lots of change...

Segment Synopsis: Funich talks about the union and African American mine workers in Lynch. He also talks about the decline in and future of the coal industry in Lynch and the impact it has on the community.

Keywords: Decrease; Future; Race relations

Subjects: African American coal miners; Benham (Ky.); Coal miners--Kentucky; Coal mines and mining; Labor Union members; Lynch (Ky.)