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

DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993                   TAG: 9311160118
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

COAL STRIKE MEDIATOR SAYS PACT `IN REACH'

A special mediator said Monday an agreement "is within reach" that would settle the United Mine Workers' six-month strike against the nation's largest coal operators.

Bargainers for the union and the Bituminous Coal Operators Association have met up to 20 hours a day since talks resumed on Nov. 3, said Bill Usery, who was appointed by Labor Secretary Robert Reich to oversee the talks.

"These sessions . . . have been extremely difficult and tiring. But substantial progress has been made toward a final resolution," said a statement released Monday by Usery's office in Washington, D.C.

"All parties involved have agreed that it is imperative that these negotiations be brought to a prompt conclusion, and Mr. Usery believes that a total agreement is within reach," the statement concluded.

- Associated Press

by CNB