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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 7, 1993                   TAG: 9307070245
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COAL COMPANIES CLAIM VIOLENCE BY UNION IN W.VA.

Three coal companies said Tuesday they had asked the National Labor Relations Board to seek a court order against escalating violence by the United Mine Workers.

Violence in the union's strike against selected members of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association has destroyed $2 million worth of equipment, according to a statement issued by Peabody Holding Co. of St. Louis, Ashland Coal Inc. of Huntington and Arch Mineral Corp. of St. Louis.

But a union spokesman said striking union members were not responsible for violence.

"Every day, as this strike has a deeper impact on these companies, they issue more and more hysterical news releases in an attempt to draw attention away from the real issue in this strike, which is job security," said Jim Grossfeld in Washington, D.C.

The companies' request was filed Friday, spokesman Patrick Gallagher said. - Associated Press

by CNB