ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990                   TAG: 9004300443
SECTION: THUNDER IN THE COALFIELDS                    PAGE: 10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

#9 PHOTOS BY DON PETERSEN.

In the old days, coal companies hired "gun thugs" as security against strikers. Nowadays, though, security guards aim cameras, not guns. Pittston hired Vance International's "Asset Protection Team," a firm owned by former Secret Service agent Chuck Vance, to gather evidence against the union (above). Some strikers accused the Vance guards of showing up at their homes to intimidate them - charges Pittston always denied and the union could never prove. Regardless, the Vance guards always came prepared (bottom): They wore bullet-proof vests and drove vehicles outfitted with plexiglass, to protect against rocks and bullets. color. 


 by CNB