Friday, August 22, 1997

Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman will tour an underground coal mine on Friday, August 29, 1997, near Morgantown, W.Va., to talk with workers about job safety and health. The Federal
No. 2 coal mine, in Monongalia County, W.Va., is one of the largest underground coal mines in the nation, employing more than 400 miners on three shifts. The mine is operated by Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, a subsidiary of Peabody Holding Company, Inc..

Secretary Herman will be accompanied by J. Davitt McAteer, assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health (MSHA), company officials, representatives from organized labor, and other government officials.

Following the mine tour will be an opportunity for media to talk with the Secretary as she exits the mine. Interested reporters should plan to be at the mine site by 1:00 p.m., and must R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by calling Kathy Snyder or Amy Louviere, MSHA Office of Public Affairs, (703) 235-1452. Very limited space may be available in a media pool to accompany the Secretary underground; pool members will need to be at the mine by 10:00 a.m. Information on pool space availability, and directions to the mine may be obtained from the above contacts.

For daybooks and assignment editors:

WHO:	Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health
WHAT:	Underground Mine Visit
WHERE:	Eastern Associated Coal Corp.'s Federal No. 2 Mine Morgantown, W.Va. (Monongalia County)
WHEN:	Friday, August 29, 1997 - 1:00 p.m., EDT
CONTACT:	Kathy Snyder or Amy Louviere (703) 235-1452 RSVP's essential