FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES
601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Suite 9500
Washington, DC 20001
October 26, 2009
SECRETARY OF LABOR, MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), on behalf of LIGE WILLIAMSON Complainant v. CAM MINING, LLC, Respondent |
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TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT PROCEEDING Docket No. KENT 2009-1428-D PIKE CD 2009-06 Mine ID 15-18911 Number 28 Mine |
DECISION ON REMAND
AND
ORDER OF TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT
Appearances: Mary Sue Taylor, Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, Nashville, Tennessee, for the Complainant;
Mark Heath, Esq., Spilman, Thomas & Battle, Charleston, West Virginia, for the Respondent.
Before: Judge Feldman
This matter is before me based on an application for temporary reinstatement filed by the Secretary, pursuant to section 105(c)(2) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. § 815(c)(2), against CAM Mining, LLC (CAM Mining) on behalf of Lige Williamson. The initial decision on the Secretary’s application, following a September 2, 2009, evidentiary hearing, determined that the Secretary failed to satisfy her burden of demonstrating that the application for temporary reinstatement was not frivolously brought. 31 FMSHRC (Sept. 30, 2009) (ALJ). The Secretary appealed the initial decision. The Commission has reversed and ordered the retroactive reinstatement of Williamson effective as of September 30, 2009, the date of the initial decision. 31 FMSHRC , slip op. at 8 (Oct. 22, 2009).
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that CAM Mining, LLC SHALL IMMEDIATELY REINSTATE Lige Williamson to the former job position that he held on May 15, 2009, at his former rate of pay, with back pay effective September 30, 2009. Williamson’s reinstatement shall include entitlement to all benefits associated with his employment including overtime, if applicable.
Williamson’s reinstatement shall not prejudice CAM Mining’s right to contest Williamson’s discrimination complaint that currently is being investigated by the Secretary. The Secretary should endeavor to complete, as soon as practicable, her investigation so that this matter may proceed to an evidentiary hearing on the merits. If the Secretary, upon investigation, finds that the provisions of section 105(c) have not been violated, she shall file a motion to vacate this Order of Temporary Reinstatement. Alternatively, CAM Mining may move to vacate this temporary reinstatement order if the Secretary declines to prosecute Williamson’s complaint pursuant to section 105(c)(2) of the Mine Act. Peter J. Phillips v. A&S Construction Co., 31 FMSHRC, Docket No. West 1057-DM (Sept. 9, 2009).
Jerold Feldman
Administrative Law Judge
Distribution: (VIA FACSIMILE AND CERTIFIED MAIL)
Mary Sue Taylor, Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, 618 Church Street,
Suite 230, Nashville, TN 37219
Mark E. Heath, Esq., Spilman, Thomas & Battle, PLLC, 300 Kanawha Blvd. East, P.O. Box 273,
Charleston, WV 25321
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