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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 28, 1992                   TAG: 9203280164
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: ABINGDON                                LENGTH: Short

UMW HEALTH-BENEFIT NEGOTIATIONS FAIL

Coal mine operators and union officials failed to reach agreement Friday on a plan to maintain health benefits for 120,000 retired miners and their dependents, tossing the issue back into court.

U.S. District Judge Glen Williams is to decide on a plan by Wednesday.

On March 17, Williams ruled that two insolvent trust funds can't suspend benefits to retired miners and ordered the Bituminous Coal Operators Association to put the funds back in the black by increasing contributions. - Associated Press

by CNB