W.A. Morris Sand and Gravel, Inc. (Commission decision, March 14, 1996)

W.A. Morris Sand and Gravel, Inc. (FMSHRC WEST 96-120-M): Jurisdiction issue accepted for review, stay denied

Decision type
Commission decision
Docket
WEST 96-120-M
Decided
March 14, 1996
Outcome
Procedural
Precedential status
Citable Commission precedent
Checked against source
2026-08-13

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This is citable Commission precedent from 1996, and it may have been appealed since. Ezel checks how it stands today and answers your situation, with citations.

Currency note: this decision dates from 1996
The MSHA standards may have been amended, penalty amounts have been adjusted, and later Commission or court decisions may have changed the analysis since then. Treat this page as historical context, not current compliance advice. Verify the current standard before relying on any specific rule, threshold, or penalty mentioned here.
Decision of the Commission
This interlocutory order granted review only on whether the complainant was a miner, denied review on the other issues, and denied the request to stay temporary reinstatement. The discrimination proceeding remained pending, so this order did not finally dispose of the case and is not a final Commission precedent. The full text below is from the official FMSHRC release.
About this page: The plain-English summary and decision snapshot below were written by Ezel based on the official FMSHRC release. The full text is the agency's own release.
Read the official release (fmshrc.gov)

Plain-English summary

W.A. Morris Sand and Gravel petitioned for review of an ALJ’s orders granting temporary reinstatement and denying motions to dismiss in a discrimination case brought on behalf of Ramon S. Franco. Morris asked the Commission to stay the temporary reinstatement order. The Commission granted review on the jurisdictional question of whether Franco was a miner, denied review on the other issues, and denied the stay because Morris did not show compelling or extraordinary circumstances.

Decision snapshot

  • Governing provisions: 30 U.S.C. § 815(c); 30 U.S.C. § 823(d)(2)
  • Outcome: Review was granted only on whether the complainant was a miner. Review was otherwise denied, and the stay request was denied.
  • Key point: A stay of temporary reinstatement requires a showing of compelling or extraordinary circumstances.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION 1730 K STREET NW, 6TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006

March 14, 1996

SECRETARY OF LABOR, on behalf
:
RAMON S. FRANCO
:
Complainant
:
:
v. : Docket No. WEST 96-120-M
:
W.A. MORRIS SAND AND
:
GRAVEL, INC.,
:
Respondent
:

DIRECTION FOR REVIEW
DENIAL OF REVIEW AND
DENIAL OF STAY OF TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT

On February 26, 1996, respondent W.A. Morris Sand and Gravel (“Morris”) filed a petition for discretionary review of the February 15, 1996, orders of Administrative Law Judge Richard W. Manning granting the Secretary’s application for temporary reinstatement and denying Morris’ motions to dismiss. Morris also has requested a stay of the temporary reinstatement order.

Upon consideration of Morris’ petition and request, the Secretary’s response in opposition and respondent’s reply, the petition for review is granted as to the issue of jurisdiction, i.e. whether the complainant is a miner. In all other respects the petition is denied.


Page 2

Respondent’s request for a stay of the temporary reinstatement order fails to demonstrate compelling or extraordinary circumstances, and is therefore denied. See Perry Transport, Inc., 15 FMSHRC 196, 198 (February 1993).

_________
Mary Lu Jordan, Chairman

__________
Joyce A. Doyle, Commissioner

__________
Arlene Holen, Commissioner

______
Marc Lincoln Marks, Commissioner

______
James C. Riley, Commissioner

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