Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 21 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H4'ed 12/6/10

Massey Energy CEO Resigns

By       (Page 1 of 2 pages)   No comments
Message Kevin Zeese
Become a Fan
  (63 fans)
Citizen Pressure and Government Investigations Force Resignation of Don Blankenship

  

People who want corporate accountability got some good holiday cheer when the CEO of Massey Energy, Don Blankenship resigned a few days ago.  

 

Last April, after the accident that killed 29 miners in West Virginia, Prosperity Agenda along with 150 other groups urged the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute Blankenship and other Massey Coal executives for their gross negligence that led to the deaths of the miners.   In the letter that I signed on behalf of a coalition organized by Velvet Revolution, we reviewed the long history of mine safety violations and abuse and told Attorney General Holder "that absent a criminal investigation, Mr. Blankenship will continue his criminal conduct and more people will be killed."

 

As I wrote in a widely published column:

 

"Were it not for the deliberate actions of Don Blankenship and Massey Energy the deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia would not have occurred. These deaths were foreseeable, even predicted, and this is not the first time Massey has caused the deaths of miners."

 

This was not the first time Blankenship's lack of attention to miner safety resulted in the deaths of miners. Massey Energy had been fined millions of dollars for violations of mine safety regulations and had already settled one case where miners were killed with criminal and civil fines totaling more than $4 million--the largest fine ever in coal history.   As a result we urged that it was time to stop coddling corporate criminals like Blankenship and hold them accountable for their actions.  

 

Corporate responsibility advocates continued to keep the pressure on and other organizations joined in, a movement was developing.   A large protest was held in Richmond,VA at the annual board meeting of Massey Energy. See videos of the event here, here and here. We highlighted the growing movement for accountability and criminal prosecution and were rewarded when state and federal officials announced criminal and civil investigations.   We reported on those investigations here.

 

And, now as the year draws to an end, we are pleased to report that Don Blankenship is resigning.   The problems of Massey Energy are growing and the company may be sold or merge with another company.   And, the criminal and civil probes are continuing. Blankenship's resignation is a first step, criminal and civil investigations will continue and hopefully, more accountability will follow.   In addition to personal accountability for the executives and managers involved, mine safety regulators need to get even more aggressive in enforcing the law.

 

 

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Kevin Zeese Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Kevin Zeese is co-chair of Come Home America, www.ComeHomeAmerica.US which seeks to end U.S. militarism and empire. He is also co-director of Its Our Economy, www.ItsOurEconomy.US which seeks to democratize the economy and give people greater (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Why I Was Among Eight Health Care Advocates to Get Arrested in the Senate Yesterday

The Seeds of Rebellion Are Taking Root, and Protests Against Injustices Are Blooming Across the Country

BREAKING NEWS: BIG BREAKTHROUGHS FOR SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE

Ron Paul Press Conference Unifies Third Party and Independent Candidates Around Four Key Positions

Paperless Electronic Voting Machines Flipping Votes from Obama to McCain in West Virginia

Max Baucus Should Not Be Deciding Health Care for America

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend