The Nation - News from May 3, 1989

The United Mine Workers agreed to federal mediation in an effort to resolve its strike in Virginia against the Pittston Coal Group. Virginia Lt. Gov. Douglas Wilder said UMW President Richard L. Trumka agreed to accept a representative of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service at the bargaining table. The Pittston Co., the parent company of the coal mining firm, has already agreed to mediation. Trumka also sought a seven-day cooling off period in the 27-day-old strike, including a halt to Pittston operations, and immediate negotiations. Meanwhile, state police arrested 140 miners trying to keep coal trucks from leaving Pittston’s Moss No. 3 preparation plant in Russell County and reported seven miners hurt when struck by a truck leading a convoy.