Tentative pact reached in hard-coal industry

Anthracite miners announced a tentative contract agreement with the hard coat industry, apparently avoiding a walkout similar to the almost five-week-old strike that has idled the nation's soft coal mines. William Savitsky, chief United Mine Workers negotiator in the talks in northeastern Pennsylvania, said the proposed pact was reached over the weekend. He said it would be presented to 2,000 rank-and-file miners for ratification Thursday, one day before the current contr act expires.