Remembrance of Gary Jensen by Jim Weyrauch

HE ANSWERED THE CALL

The mountain rumbled and 1800 feet underground coal bumped filling the cavity and the rescuers became the trapped. Franticly the rest of the team dug into the rumble sometimes barehanded. This was the third incident that resulted in collapse and bumping in this dangerous mine. When they were freed, three were fatally injured and six others severely injured. This incident happened while these brave men were attempting to free six miners trapped in the Crandell Canyon Coal Mine. One of the dead heroes was Gary Jensen, an employee of the Mine Safety and Health Administration and a member of AFGE Local 3416. Gary was one of the MSHA personnel who were summoned to aid in the rescue. When the summons came, Gary donned his gear, gathered his equipment, and went to that dangerous place. He answered the call!

Gary Jensen worked in the mining industry for over 30 years primarily as a safety officer with special emphasis on mine rescue. He brought this expertise to MSHA when he was hired a year ago. He joined the union AFGE Local 3416 immediately, even though there was no legal obligation to do so. His union membership was never in conflict with his duty as a federal employee who worked in a dangerous industry. When the word came that six miners were trapped in that mine. He answered the call!

Gary like the hundreds of other dedicated MSHA personnel did his job efficiently and effectively every day within the framework of MSHA regulations and under the DOL/NCFLL Collective Bargaining Agreement. Most of those MSHA employees are members, but all are covered and there is no is no conflict with the mission of MSHA, providing for the safety and welfare of the American miner. Gary knew his job, knew that he was needed and when the alarm was sounded he answered the call!

In that same accident, another mine inspector, Frank Marosek, also a member of AFGE Local 3416 was critically injured. Frank sustained two breaks in one of his legs; a broken tailbone; three broken ribs and a severely damaged eye socket. Frank got the same word, miners are trapped buried 1800 feet underground in mine that engages in the most dangerous mining process known to man, retreat mining. A process not permitted in most other coal states because of the inherent hazard of removing all of the coal, leaving no supports and retreating out of the mine. This is considered high risk even without any seismic activity. Everyone knew the extreme risks of going in that mine. Miners were buried, but Gary, Frank and the other MSHA personnel got the word and they answered the call.

Since 1911 when inspection of coal mines became a federal responsibility 16 federal employees have been killed in the line of duty. Eleven of these fatally injured inspectors were killed during mine operations or rescue missions. To a man they gave their all for their fellow man. Miners were trapped, the federal personnel had the expertise, knew the risks, understood what was necessary and they answered the call!
And tomorrow, even as we mourn the loss of our fallen union brother we knew that the brave and dedicated men and women in MSHA are prepared to do what is necessary. If another alarm is sounded, they will answer the call!

Like the 311 unionized rescue workers at the World Trade Center, the firefighters, police, EMTs and others who gave their all at the World Trade Center on 9-11 our MSHA personnel will rush to the aid of those in need. Union membership is about solidarity and helping others in a time of need. Union membership fosters dedication and being there with your expertise and going to the danger, no matter what the odds, no matter what the problem, if the alarm is sounded, they will answer the call!

So to those members of Congress who railed against unions and how a union contract would keep federal employees from doing the job necessary in time of danger and then voted to deny the employees of TSA the right to a union, think of Gary Jensen, Frank Marosek, all of the MSHA personnel over the years who ran to the mine disaster. Think of those 311 unionized worker who die in a valiant effort to save lives at the World Trade Center on 9-11. Think about the hundreds of construction workers who ran to the towers and despite the dangers began the process of trying to rescue the trapped under “The Pile”. They answered the call!

There has never been one reported incident where a federal police officer, Border Patrol or Customs agent , firefighter, EMT that ran away from danger, unionized or not. In all cases, when the danger arose they answered the call!

If Congress and the government want to honor the memory of Gary who gave his all and Frank who will suffer for many years for their devotion to duty, think again about how union membership was no bar or determent for them to do their job. Honor them by permitting federal employees the right to freely join the union. Gary and Frank belonged to the union and had the commitment to help those in a very dangerous situation. They knew what was needed and answered the call!