CHARGES TRADED IN COAL STRIKE 7,000 MINERS IDLED AMID STALLED TALKS

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

DATE: MONDAY, February 15, 1993                   TAG: 9302150112
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short
CHARGES TRADED IN COAL STRIKE 7,000 MINERS IDLED AMID STALLED TALKS
The president of a Peabody Holding Co. subsidiary targeted by a United Mine Workers selective strike says the union's conditions for reopening talks are unrealistic.
The union's main spokesman denied the charge and accused Peabody Holding Co. officials of grandstanding for the media. Another union official in Indiana called the remarks by Peabody Coal Co. President George S. Shiflett "incredulous."
Up to 7,000 union members have walked out in West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. Meanwhile, thousands of other union miners have been working without a contract since the old one with the Bituminous Coal Operators Association expired this month. Peabody Holding Co. is a member of the BCOA.
Negotiations for a new contract broke down in mid-December over job security and other issues. Talks between the two sides have not resumed.
"I am thoroughly frustrated by the union's stubborn refusal to get talks under way and let our people come back to work," Shiflett said in a news release issued Saturday.
UMW spokesman Jim Grossfeld scoffed at the release.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB