NATION : 21 Striking Coal Miners Arrested
State police arrested 21 striking miners today for blocking the entrance to a mine run by the Pittston Coal Group Inc.
Members of the United Mine Workers were continuing civil disobedience tactics to keep pressure on the mining company as mediated talks get started. The arrested miners were escorted into a state-owned bus and taken to the Dickenson County jail. Strike organizers said they expected the miners to remain in jail overnight.
The strike, which began April 5, affects about 1,500 miners in Virginia and West Virginia.
A mediator with the U.S. Labor Department’s Mediation and Conciliation Service discussed the ground rules and agenda with union and company officials Wednesday. The sides, however, have not agreed on a date for the start of mediation.
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