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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 16, 1993                   TAG: 9305170280
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: D-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

COAL STRIKE LOOKS TO BE LONG ONE

The United Mine Workers' stake so far in its strike against the nation's largest coal operators is 2,000 miners off work for one week. But UMW President Richard Trumka promises to up the ante until the companies "come to their senses."

The once-mighty UMW, which has dwindled in size and influence in recent decades as mines were mechanized and coal lost some of its favor as a fuel, is girding for the fight of its life.

"This will be the fight that the next generation of trade unionists will talk about," Trumka said last week as he made the rounds of eight Indiana and Illinois mines he had called out.

The UMW also has also organized for a full-scale walkout.

It established a $50 million line of credit with the United Auto Workers union. It rounded up support of more than 600 religious leaders, and took out ads in coalfield newspapers to "call upon the coal operators to commit to job security for UMWA members."

And it hired media consultant Frank Greer, a Clinton campaign adviser.

Since negotiations began Nov. 6, the union has said its priority is job security for middle-aged miners as operations are dwindling.

The expired contract contained language guaranteeing UMW members three out of every five newly created jobs.

Trumka accused the companies of failing to honor that provision. But the union has been unable to force the companies to apply the contract to both union and nonunion subsidiaries.

by CNB