The Roots of the Harlan County Labor Conflict To understand the Harlan County labor conflict, we need to go back to the early 20th century. Coal mining was the lifeblood of the region, but it came at a steep price. Miners worked long hours in dangerous conditions, often for meager pay. The companies that owned the mines held immense power, controlling not only the jobs but also the towns where miners lived. Tensions grew as miners sought to organize and demand better wages, s