From up above that ok, an inspectors coming, they would use code words, and then you would basically clean up your area to make it look right . Stewart uh huh, yeah. Cooper Upper Big Branch was a nonunion mine. Inspectors were the only people miners could turn to for help. Shouldnt be seen talking to inspectors. Was there fear about speaking up . Pauley if you wanted a job you kept your mouth shut. Me, like a lot of other miners, mining is about the only industry its the biggest industry in the state of west virginia. You have children, you want them to have. You want to provide for them. I was a single mom, you know . Cooper you needed that job . Pauley i did the best i could. crying we did the best we could for our families. The guys did as well. Ruby some of the stories that they have to tell are horrifying. Enough fresh air, being forced to work in water up to their necks, miles underground. Being forced to work in areas of the where the roof and the walls of the mine were falling