United Mine Workers of Alabama

Graphite mines in the United States largely closed down seven decades ago. Mining the ubiquitous mineral found in everything from nuclear reactors to pencils seemed to make little sense when it could be imported inexpensively from other nations, especially China.That view is changing now. And, Alabama is among the states taking part.

March of this year marked the end of what was called the longest strike in Alabama history. Coal miners for the Warrior Met company in Brookwood put down their picket signs and resumed the job that some had done for decades. However, these workers say they got something other than a victory at the bargaining table.