UMWA endorsement now an issue in the Perry County Sheriff's race

Incumbent Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman is asking challenger Dennis Cole how he can have the "support" of the United Mineworkers of America when he has their endorsement.

The endorsement of Kellerman comes in a letter from UMWA District 12 vice president Steve Earle. District 12 represents union members in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri.

Here is the letter:

Keith Kellerman

5837 Misty Road

Pinckneyville, Ill. 62274

Dear Mr. Kellerman

It is my pleasure to notify you that the United Mine Workers of America's Coal Miners Political Action Committee (COMPAC) has endorsed your candidacy for sheriff in Perry County.

COMPAC bases its endorsement upon well-defined and closely scrutinized criteria, past records of candidate support for issues of concern and importance to coal miners, the statewide labor movement and all working people and families. As a result of our careful consideration of all candidates and issues in this race, we are proud to extend to you our endorsement.

You may be confident that the UMWA members throughout your district are committed to an aggressive and decisive member education, information and get-out-the-vote program toward our share goal of victory.

Sincerely,

Steve Earl

District 12 vice-president

United Mine Workers of America

With that letter in hand, how can Cole claim he has the "support" of the UMWA? Here's how.

Under the UMWA constitution, international endorsements are the only recognized endorsements of the union. International does not allow endorsements by the individual locals.

However, at a COMPAC meeting in early February in Mount Vernon, Ill. Chuck Wilson, president of Local 1545, which represents some 800 coal miners at the Rend Lake mine and Freeman 3 and 6 mines, explained his personal support for Cole and the support of Allen Voice. "There was a committee of three people and there were so many people up there we would have had to get rooms and meet for two days to talk to everybody," he said.

Local 1545 did not, and constitutionally could not, endorse Cole. "I did tell Dennis that he could say that he has the support of Local 1545," said Wilson. "If you want to use the word 'support' you can."

Wilson went on to thank Cole for his support in making several bus trips to St. Louis and a trip to West Virginia for the UMWA Patriot Coal rallies.