Cobalt Workers Join Union

Workers at Cobalt Coal Co., the southern West Virginia mine featured on Spike TV's one-season reality show "Coal," voted 15-7 Wednesday to unionize. During filming of the show, federal inspectors cited the company for 19 health and safety violations. There were, however, no accidents or serious injuries. Canadian operator Cobalt owns the Westchester mine in McDowell County. The United Mine Workers of America said Thursday it welcomes the miners and will work to negotiate a fair contract on their behalf.