Eighth Circuit Blocks Mine Unions Intervention in Silica Suit

Mine worker unions lost their bid to intervene in an ongoing challenge to a federal rule that would require mines to cut the amount of breathable silica miners are exposed to in half.

The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied the United Mine Workers of America and United Steelworkers’ motion to defend the silica rule. The appeals court didn’t provide a rationale behind its decision.

The appeals court decision is “profoundly disheartening,” the unions said in a statement. “We will remain determined to hold accountable those who seek to undermine worker protections and will continue to press ...