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P.M. BRIEFING : UMW Fined $4.5 Million for ‘Terror’

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<i> From Times wire services</i>

A judge fined the United Mine Workers nearly $4.5 million today for what he called “acts of terror” in the coal fields.

Russell County Circuit Judge Donald McGlothlin Jr., who earlier fined the UMW nearly $3 million for violating orders limiting strike activities, blasted the union for assaulting and threatening people during the nearly 4-month-long strike against Pittston Coal Group Inc.

“There has been a feeling of terror throughout much of this area,” the judge said.

McGlothlin ordered that $2 million of the fines be paid to the state, $1 million to Dickenson County and almost $1.5 million to Russell County. He also ordered that all UMW members be restrained from impeding traffic around entrances to Pittston property and from interfering with local traffic.

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Many of the fines stemmed from McGlothlin’s finding that the union failed to stop its members or supporters from forming convoys of slow-driving vehicles that have delayed the hauling of Pittston coal.

UMW attorney Mike Passino said he expected the union will appeal.

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