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

DATE: SUNDAY, December 5, 1993                   TAG: 9312050089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Medium

STRIKE IS COSTLY TO UMW

The United Mine Workers strike fund has dropped by more than $30 million in a three-month period during its strike against the nation's coal operators, the union said.

The fund's total was $100.3 million June 30 but was $69.8 million Sept. 30, an internal report sent to union officials said.

The UMW began its strike against selected members of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association on May 10. The strike has expanded several times since then to reach seven states, including Virginia.

The UMW said it has paid $31 million in strike pay, $5 million in insurance benefits and $1.7 million in collective bargaining costs.

The fund collected $5.6 million in strike assessments from working members and earned $1.5 million in interest, the union said.

Meanwhile, Hanson PLC said the strike has cost Peabody Holding Co. mines an estimated $187 million in lost production.

Hanson's profits from its coal businesses fell to $105 million this year, compared with $235 million in the previous year, officials said. Hanson owns Peabody Holding, which owns Peabody Coal Co. and Eastern Associated Coal Corp., both of which have been targeted in the UMW strike.

"Despite the miners' strike, which seriously affected Peabody Coal and Eastern Coal, Hanson maintains its long-term enthusiasm for coal, America's main energy source for electric power," a company statement said.

Overall, Hanson reported worldwide net income of $1.1 billion on sales of $14.6 billion, down from earnings of $1.6 billion on sales of $13.2 billion last year.

The UMW says the strike centers on job security and future employment for the union's members.

Negotiators for the two sides have been meeting in Washington, D.C., to complete work on language details of a proposed contract.

UMW Vice President Cecil Roberts has said that the two sides have agreed orally on what the new contract should contain and must put the agreement in writing.

The union stopped picketing targeted companies Nov. 23 in exchange for the companies' promise to rehire strikers who had been fired on charges of picket-line misconduct.

by CNB