President Obama Taps Long Time UMWA Official As MSHA Head
July 14, 2009
Obama Taps Main to Lead MSHA
Jul 9, 2009 1:10 PM
On July 6, President Obama ended the speculation about who would run the Mine Safety and Health Administration by sending long-time union man Joseph Main’s name to the Senate for confirmation.
Given the Democrats strong majority in the Senate, conformation is likely. Main is in line to replace Bush appointee Richard Stickler as assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
Main began his career in coal mining in 1967 and was hired by the United Mine Workers of America in 1974 as special assistant to the international president. He took his first safety position two years later, and in 1982, he was named administrator of the UMWA Occupational Health and Safety Department; he held that position until 2004. He is currently a mining safety consultant.
UMWA was happy with the nomination and anticipating a heavier-handed regulatory agency.
“Joe is perhaps the most knowledgeable person about mine safety and health in the nation, and his experience was gained where it counts the most – fighting every day for over 30 years on behalf of miners’ health and safety,” said UMWA President Cecil Roberts in a prepared statement. “Joe has his work cut out for him. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has not lived up to its mandate from Congress to vigorously enforce mine health and safety laws and regulations the last eight years. The previous administration put mine production and company profitability ahead of miner safety. Fortunately, President Obama has sent a clear and consistent message that health and safety comes first in his administration.”
Rep Ben Chandler (D-Ky) threw his support behind Main in April when Main, former MSHA chief Davitt McAteer and Tony Mayville, director of Illinois’ Office of Land Management, were believed to be the leading candidates for the post.
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