Payment of Wages Eases Labor Crisis

A nationwide walkout by coal miners appeared to ease and a strike at a nuclear power plant was averted after authorities paid back wages to workers. The labor actions are among the most dramatic in a wave of protests by state employees demanding months’ worth of back pay and benefits. Russia’s government and industry say they have had trouble coming up with the cash because of a cycle of unpaid debts. Some miners returned to work, but many stayed on strike for a fourth day, demanding a solution to the frequent pay delays. President Boris N. Yeltsin met with the head of the upper house of parliament, which also is pressuring the government to pay back pensions and wages. Yeltsin promised that he will personally see that the payments are made.