Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990 TAG: 9004180660
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A/1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: ABINGDON LENGTH: Short
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kilgore said the government would not oppose the same sentence given to others charged with sitting in the road to impede Pittston trucks, in violation of a federal court order during the strike.
Roberts was arrested last July 25 for leading a sit-down demonstration in an entrance road to Pittston's Moss No. 3 coal plant in Russell County. He spent the night in jail and was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond.
Roberts, who served as the union's field commander during much of the strike, said he submitted himself to arrest to demonstrate his commitment to the strikers.
Kilgore sought a sentence of six months on probation, but Senior U.S. District Judge Glen Williams imposed a lighter sentence.
Roberts read a statement on behalf of himself, the union, and UMW international representative John Cox saying none of them had meant to show disrespect for the court by acts of civil disobedience.
In fact, Roberts thanked Williams for his efforts in getting Pittston and the union back together last year after negotiations stalled. Those talks eventually produced a settlement that ended the strike.
by CNB