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Here is a press release from the United Mine Workers of America.

 UMWA Extends Contract for Four Top U.S. Coal Producers
 To: National and Business Desks, Labor Writer
 Contact: Jim Grossfeld of the United Mine Workers of America,
          202-842-7240; or
          Jim Strickland of the Independent Bituminous Coal
          Bargaining Alliance, 205-945-6580

   WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 -- With only one week remaining in 
the national contract between the United Mine Workers of
America (UMWA) and the nation's unionized coal operators, union
president Richard Trumka and representatives of four major U.S.  coal
producers have announced a 60-day extension of their current
agreements.
   The National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement (NBCWA), set to expire
at 11:59 p.m. (EST) Feb. 1, will be extended for 60 days at Drummond
Co. Inc., Jim Walter Resources Inc., U.S. Steel Mining Co.  Inc., and
Westmoreland Coal Co., Trumka said.  The four coal producers together
comprise the Independent Bituminous Coal Bargaining Alliance (IBCBA).
   "The discussions between the UMWA and the IBCBA have been
constructive.  In that light it's in everyone's interest that the
current contract be extended as we continue our negotiations on a new
agreement," Trumka said.
   "Given that the UMWA and IBCBA are examining issues that have
never been addressed in any set of contract talks before, these
negotiations are taking a little longer to complete," Trumka said,
adding, "However, they are taking place in an atmosphere of good
faith with both sides committed to seeing this process through and
reaching an agreement that makes sense for both sides."
   Trumka added that the IBCBA "was formed out of the recognition
that both labor and management must redefine the traditional
relationship between workers and coal operators if American coal is
going to compete globally in the years to come."
   Trumka said that the 60-day contract extension applies only to the
affiliates of the IBCBA and does not affect other coal operators
currently bound to the NBCWA.  The IBCBA began talks on a new
national labor agreement with the UMWA on Oct. 5.
 -30-
-- 
Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario    ndallen@r-node.pci.on.ca