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

DATE: SATURDAY, September 11, 1993                   TAG: 9309110199
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Medium

COAL-TALK MEDIATOR APPOINTED

Labor Secretary Robert Reich announced the appointment of William J. Usery, who in 1989 served as a mediator in the UMW's 10-month strike against The Pittston Co.

"After lengthy discussions . . . with the parties involved in the dispute, I have determined that negotiations between the [Bituminous Coal Operators Association] and the UMWA would best be served by the appointment of a special mediator," Reich said.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been involved in the contract dispute between the union and the coal operators since February. However, Reich said Usery "brings additional status, ability and a special knowledge of the industry to the bargaining table."

Miners in seven states, including Virginia, are on strike over job-security issues.

Reich said Usery will report to him on the status of the negotiations.

"I urge both parties to dedicate themselves completely to reaching a fair and equitable settlement, and to do so quickly," Reich said.

The appointment "is a positive and constructive step towards settling this strike with an agreement that's fair to both parties," said UMW President Richard Trumka.

B.R. Brown, the chief negotiator for the coal industry and CONSOL Inc., chairman, said the Bituminous Coal Operators Association "does not object to Mr. Usery's appointment.

"It is important for both sides to recognize, however, that a special mediator alone cannot solve the problems at the bargaining table. The parties must do that themselves," Brown said.

He said Usery's involvement "can bring a sense of urgency and a needed dose of reality to negotiations that have been dominated thus far by unrealistic demands."

Also Friday, Eastern Associated Coal Corp. said the National Labor Relations Board asked a federal judge to prohibit pickets from threatening and intimidating company employees in northern West Virginia.

A federal judge in Charleston granted a similar request from Eastern Associated last week involving the United Mine Workers' District 17, which covers southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky.