Donald R. Bowling v. Perry Transport, Inc., et al.

Plain-English summary

The Secretary filed one Mine Act discrimination action seeking temporary reinstatement for Donald R. Bowling and a second action seeking permanent reinstatement. The cases named Perry Transport, Stevie Caldwell Trucking, Stevie Caldwell, and other respondents. The parties submitted a settlement intended to resolve all matters related to Bowling's claims. Judge William Fauver found the settlement consistent with the purposes of section 105(c), approved it, and dismissed both proceedings.

Decision snapshot

• Governing provision: 30 U.S.C. § 815(c)
• Outcome: The settlement was approved and both discrimination proceedings were dismissed.
• Key point: A settlement resolving temporary and permanent reinstatement claims may be approved when it is consistent with the Mine Act's anti-discrimination purposes.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

Page 2

~836

      FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

             OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES
                    2 SKYLINE, 10th FLOOR
                     5203 LEESBURG PIKE
                FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22041

SECRETARY OF LABOR, : DISCRIMINATION PROCEEDINGS
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH :
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), : Docket No. KENT 92-1052-D
On Behalf of :
DONALD BOWLING, : Mine ID 15-13937 and
Complainant : 15-13937 AFW
:
and : MSHA No. BARB CD 92-28
:
DONALD BOWLING, :
Intervenor :
:
v. :
:
PERRY TRANSPORT, INC., :
A Corporation; STEVIE CALDWELL, :
TRUCKING, INC., a Corporation; :
and STEVIE CALDWELL, :
an Individual, :
Respondents :
:
:
SECRETARY OF LABOR, : Docket No. KENT 93-287-D
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH : BARB CD-92-28
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), :
On Behalf of : Surface Mine
DONALD R. BOWLING, :
Complainant :
:
v. :
:
PERRY TRANSPORT, INC., :
DEWEY CRIGSBY, an Individual; :
STEVIE CALDWELL TRUCKING, INC., :
a Corporation; STEVIE CALDWELL, :
an Individual; and LOST MOUNTAIN :
MINING COMPANY, a division of :
MCI MINING CORPORATION, :
Respondents :

                DECISION APPROVING SETTLEMENT

Before: Judge Fauver

 On September 10, 1992, the Secretary filed an action (Docket

No. KENT 92-1052-D) on behalf of Donald R. Bowling alleging that

Page 3

~837
Respondents violated 105(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 and requesting that Mr. Bowling be temporarily
reinstated to his former position pending a proceeding on his
claim of discrimination.

 On January 27, 1993, the Secretary filed an action (Docket

No. KENT 93-287-D) on behalf of Donald R. Bowling alleging that
Respondents violated 105(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 and requesting, an inter alia, that Mr.
Bowling be permanently reinstated to his former position.

 The parties have moved for approval of a settlement designed

to resolve all matters related to Mr. Bowling's claims in both of
the above actions.

 I have reviewed the documentation and representations

submitted and find that the settlement is consistent with the
purposes of 105(c) of the Act.

 Accordingly, the motion for approval of settlement is

GRANTED, and these proceedings are DISMISSED.

                               William Fauver
                               Administrative Law Judge

Distribution:

Stephen D. Turow, Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department
of Labor, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22203
(Certified Mail)

Sara Walter Combs, Esq., P. O. Box 828, Stanton, KY 40380
(Certified Mail)

Stanley R. Geary, Esq., R. Henry Moore, Esq., Buchanan Ingersoll,
600 Grant Street, 58th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2887
(Certified Mail)

C. A. Noble, III, Esq., 3231 Combs Ferry Road, Lexington, KY
40509-9519 (Certified Mail)

Tony Oppegard, Esq., Appalachian Research & Defense Fund of
Kentucky, 630 Maxwelton Court, Lexington, KY 40508 (Certified
Mail)

Robert I. Cusick, Esq., Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, Citizens Plaza,
Louisville, KY 40202 (Certified Mail)

/fcca