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Show Energy Edition, January, 199415 Folklore: (Continued from Page 14) living consistent with or exceeding that of most Americans. Since 1980, the coal work force has steadily declined in total numbers, from a level of about a quarter of a million to 120,602 in 1991. This decline has resulted from a number of factors, middle-clas- s including os?) Jib oeai continuing advances in mechanizing nearly all phases of mining operations, closing unproductive or uneconomical mines and expansion of surface mining and other forms of mining. Meanwhile, the productivity of the average r miner has increased dramatically. Today, almost of the total work force mine two-thir- coal ds underground. Only 13 percent of the work force is west of the Mississippi River, where surface mines predominate. According to a 1988 United States Department of Labor survey, nearly of the industrys protwo-thir- ds duction workers are in mines operating under various collective bargaining agreements. The predominant union is the United Mine Workers of America. Many coal miners, particularly in the West, have no union affiliation. force sees changes Work The coal mining work has changed greatly in recent years, becoming more compact, highly trained and productive. The average production of coal miner has more than a doubled since 1980 and tripled since the 1950s. The industrys injury incidence rate has steadily improved and today ranks below that of many other professions. force the same time, the coal industrys average earnings of more than $17 an hour are among the highest in American industry. At Energy West Mining Co. For decades, the mining and electric utility industries have joined together in promoting civic, educational 4 and economic development programs throughout the area. We are proud to take part in the progress of this great community. r,: M NERGY Utah Power Castle Country District . M g Mining Co WunterWuntingtoiTand Carbon points'. UTAH POWER Hunter, Huntington and Carbon Plants r t- j Technology, computeriza- tion and mechanization have transformed coal mining into an occupation of advanced skill. While still hard work, coal mining as a profession bears no resemblance to the job performed with pick and shovel earlier in this century. iJ |