United Mine Workers of America, Local 1248 v. Maple Creek Mining, Inc. (Commission decision, January 5, 2007)

Plain-English summary

UMWA Local 1248 sought compensation under section 111 of the Mine Act for miners idled by an MSHA withdrawal order at Maple Creek Mining. The judge denied Maple Creek's motion for summary decision and later certified for interlocutory review the legal question of whether the withdrawal order had become final. The Commission found that the question controlled the case and that immediate review could materially advance its resolution. It granted interlocutory review, gave the Secretary amicus curiae status, and set a briefing schedule for the parties and the Secretary.

Decision snapshot

• Governing provisions: 29 C.F.R. § 2700.76; 30 U.S.C. § 821
• Outcome: Interlocutory review was granted on whether the MSHA withdrawal order became final for purposes of the miners' compensation claim.
• Key point: The Commission may review a nonfinal ALJ ruling when it presents a controlling legal question and immediate review may materially advance the proceeding.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

601 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NW

SUITE 9500

WASHINGTON, DC 20001

January 5, 2007

UNITED MINE WORKERS OF

AMERICA, LOCAL 1248

v.

MAPLE CREEK MINING, INC.

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Docket No. PENN 2002-23-C

ORDER

This matter arises under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C.
§ 801 et seq. (2000) (“Mine Act” or “Act”). Pursuant to section 111 of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C.
§ 821, the United Mine Workers of America, Local 1248 (“the UMWA”) seeks compensation for miners idled by a July 31, 2001, order issued by the Secretary of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) requiring the withdrawal of miners from a mine of Maple Creek Mining, Inc. (“Maple Creek”). On May 4, 2006, Administrative Law Judge Michael Zielinski denied Maple Creek’s motion for summary decision on the claim for compensation. 28 FMSHRC 407 (May 2006) (ALJ). Upon Maple Creek’s motion for reconsideration, the judge invited the Secretary of Labor to appear as amicus curiae and file a brief on the reconsideration motion, which she did. 28 FMSHRC 904 (Oct. 2006) (ALJ). The judge subsequently denied the motion. Id.

Pursuant to Commission Procedural Rule 76, 29 C.F.R. § 2700.76, Maple Creek thereafter moved for certification of the judge’s rulings for interlocutory review, and the UMWA filed a response in opposition. On December 14, 2006, the judge granted Maple Creek’s motion, certifying for review the question of whether the MSHA withdrawal order became final for purposes of section 111 of the Act. Applying Rule 76(a)(1)(i), the judge found that his prior rulings on summary decision involved a controlling question of law and that immediate review by the Commission may materially advance the final disposition of the case.

Commission Rule 76(a) provides that interlocutory review is a matter of sound discretion of the Commission and that the Commission may grant interlocutory review upon a determination that the judge’s interlocutory ruling involves a controlling question of law and immediate review will materially advance the final disposition of the proceeding. 29 C.F.R.
§ 2700.76(a). Upon consideration of the judge’s certification, we hereby grant review of the judge’s decisions on motion for summary decision and the issue of whether the MSHA withdrawal order became final for purposes of section 111 of the Act. We also grant, sua sponte, amicus curiae status to the Secretary of Labor.

Maple Creek and the UMWA are hereby ordered to file initial briefs 20 days from the date of this order. Response briefs by both parties, as well as the Secretary’s amicus brief if she chooses to file one, will be due 10 days following service of the last initial brief.

___________

Michael F. Duffy, Chairman

__________

Mary Lu Jordan, Commissioner

__________

Michael G. Young, Commissioner

Distribution

Melanie J. Kilpatrick, Esq.

Rajkovich, Williams, Kilpatrick & True, PLLC

2333 Alumni Park Plaza, Suite 310

Lexington, KY 40517 (fax & regular mail)

Judith Rivlin, Esq.

United Mine Workers of America

8315 Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031 (fax & regular mail)

Timothy S. Williams, Esq.

Office of the Solicitor

U.S. Department of Labor

1100 Wilson Blvd., 22nd Floor West

Arlington, VA 22209-2247 (fax & regular mail)

Administrative Law Judge Michael Zielinski

Federal Mine Safety & Health Review Commission

Office of Administrative Law Judges

601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Suite 9500

Washington, D.C. 20001-2021