United Mine Workers of America v. Eastover Mining Co.

LUKOWSKY, Justice.

This is an appeal from a judgment of the Harlan Circuit Court which held the United Mine Workers of America to be in contempt of court and assessed a fine of $20,000.00 as punishment.

U.M.W. contends:

1. The contempt conviction must be reversed because the union was denied its right to trial by jury; and

2. The contempt conviction must be reversed because the contempt findings by the trial judge are not supported by substantial evidence. We shall discuss these contentions in inverse order.

In July of 1973 a strike was called at the Eastover Mining Company after collective…