The Nation - News from Oct. 5, 1989

The United Mine Workers of America, independent of labor’s umbrella organizations since its legendary leader, John L. Lewis, broke ranks more than four decades ago, requested affiliation in the AFL-CIO. Members of the federation’s executive council were being polled by telephone, and the board is expected to unanimously welcome the UMW. UMW President Richard Trumka said the union’s board “decided that it is once again time for the UMWA to apply for membership in the national labor federation, formalizing our ever-closer working relations with the AFL-CIO and its member unions.”