A new study, released a week after a report found Massey Energy responsible for the disaster at their mine last year, says that union mines are safer than nonunion mines. The report says that union fines have 18-33% less traumatic injuries and 27-68% fewer fatalities. The report, which was sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, says that the study was not able to take into account differences in age or pay, but that the results point to union mines being safer.
See "Study finds fewer fatalities, injuries at union mines", Ry Rivard, Charleston Daily Mail, May 26, 2011