One hundred years ago, years of conflict between unionizing West Virginia coal miners and coal company bosses culminated in the Battle of Blair Mountain, where thousands of coal miners confronted coal company militias and, eventually, the US Army.

During the #Blair100 celebration, we spoke with marchers and members of both United Mine Workers of America and American Federation of Teachers about their inheritance of the Blair Mountain struggle, and the state of labor in today’s Appalachia. Music is sourced from the Blair Pathways Project, and includes samples of "The Company Store", performed by Riley Baugus and Tim Erekson; "Hang Don Chafin", performed by Jamie Laval; and "Welcome, Mother Jones" performed by the Stray Birds.

This reporting is a part of WMMT's new labor series.