Condero Mining Company

Plain-English summary

The Secretary of Labor filed an application for temporary reinstatement on behalf of Keith D. James after Cordero Mining Company terminated his employment. The parties agreed to a voluntary economic temporary reinstatement while a related discrimination case proceeded. Judge August F. Cetti approved that agreement. Because no further issues remained in the temporary reinstatement docket, the proceeding was dismissed.

Decision snapshot

• Governing provisions: 30 U.S.C. § 815(c)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 2700.45
• Outcome: The voluntary temporary reinstatement agreement was approved, and the temporary reinstatement proceeding was dismissed.
• Key point: An agreed economic temporary reinstatement resolved the temporary reinstatement proceeding while the related merits case continued.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

[DOCID: f:w-95-151.wais]

CORDERO MINING COMPANY
March 27, 1995
WEST 95-151-D

       FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

                  1244 SPEER BOULEVARD #280
                    DENVER, CO 80204-3582
              (303) 844-3993/FAX (303) 844-5268


                        March 27, 1995

SECRETARY OF LABOR, : TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT PROCEEDING
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH :
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), :
on behalf of KEITH D. JAMES, : Docket No. WEST 95-151-D
Applicant :
:
v. :
:
CORDERO MINING COMPANY, : Cordero Mine 48-00992
Respondent :

          DECISION APPROVING TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT
                             and
                      ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Appearances: Margaret A. Miller, Esq., Office of the
Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, Denver,
Colorado, for Applicant; Charles W. Newcom,
Esq., Sherman & Howard, Denver, Colorado,
for Respondent.

Before: Judge Cetti

                              I

 This Discrimination Proceeding concerns an Application

for Temporary Reinstatement. It was filed on January 20, 1995,
by the Secretary of Labor on behalf of Keith D. James. The
action was brought pursuant to the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 801, et seq., Supp. 1, 1977,
30 U.S.C. § 815(c)(2) and Commission Rule 45, 29 C.F.R.
§ 2700.45.

 Within 10 days following receipt of the Secretary's

application to temporary reinstatement Respondent objected to
the application and requested a hearing.

 The parties declined an immediate hearing, requesting

instead that the matter be heard on March 22-24, 1995, in
Gillette, Wyoming at the same time as the regular
discrimination hearing on the merits for permanent
reinstatement and other remedies as set forth by the
Secretary in Docket No. WEST 95-226-D.

                              II

                       Undisputed Facts

 1.  Respondent Cordero Mining Co. supervises, operates,

and controls mining activities at the Cordero Mine (MSHA I.D.
No. 49-00992) located in Campbell County, Wyoming, and is
therefore an "operator" as defined by Section 3(d) of the Act.

 2.  The products of the Cordero Mine enter and affect

interstate commerce.

 3.  At all times relevant to this proceeding Keith D.

James was employed by Respondent as an equipment operator and
therefore was a "miner" as defined in Section 3(g) of the Act.

 4.  On or about October 6, 1994, Respondent terminated the

employment of Keith D. James

 5.  Respondent is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal

Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.
("the Act").

 6.  The presiding Administrative Law Judge has jurisdiction

in this matter.

                             III

 The hearing was held in Gillette, Wyoming on March 22 and 23

of 1995. At the hearing the parties advised the Judge on the
record that the parties had mutually agreed to a voluntary
economic temporary reinstatement beginning February 27, 1995
and continuing thereafter pending the decision in Docket No.
WEST 95-226-D which the parties are now briefing. The parties
requested the Judge's approval of their voluntary agreement.
On review of the present record I approved the voluntary temporary
reinstatement agreement. There being no further issues in
Docket No. WEST 95-151-D said proceeding for temporary
reinstatement is DISMISSED.

                           August F. Cetti
                           Administrative Law Judge

Distribution:

Margaret A. Miller, Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U.S.
Department of Labor, 1999 Broadway, Suite 1600, Denver,
CO 80202-5716 (Certified Mail)

Charles W. Newcom, Esq., SHERMAN & HOWARD, 633 17th Street,
Suite 3000, Denver, CO 80202 (Certified Mail)

                                    /sh