Legendary guitarist Tom Morello is coming to Tuscaloosa County this month to play at a rally supporting striking coal miners in Brookwood, the union representing the workers announced Tuesday.

On their Twitter, the United Mine Workers of America said the September Solidarity Rally for union strikers at Warrior Met Coal will feature Morello.

Morello is ubiquitous in the hard rock world, where he has spent stints as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and more.

He is also a political activist long known for his support of the working class.

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The rally is set for next Wednesday, September 14th, at the UMWA Local Union Hall on Highway 216 in Brookwood.

Around 1,000 coal miners working for Warrior Met Coal have been on strike since April 2021 over contracts they say are unfair and were never adjusted after the company got on solid financial footing following their acquisition of Walter Energy in 2016.

Days after the strike began, a quick end seemed in sight but the striking workers voted down a contract proposed by Warrior Met and the strike has continued ever since.

The ongoing strike has cost Warrior Met millions and has led to allegations of violence, property damage and other mischief from both sides of the conflict.

Negotiations appear to have continued to deteriorate as the last messages from UMWA about the strike said they would fight an order to pay the company $13 in damages and accused the company of trying to fire 40 union members without cause.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for ongoing coverage of the strike as it continues.

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