Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Layoff notices extended for more than 1,000 at Patriot Coal

CHARLESTON, W.Va.. — Patriot Coal on Tuesday announced the extension of WARN notices for more than 1,000 employees at six Kanawha County mining operations.

The layoff notices were for the Blue Creek #1 mine operated by Midland Trail Energy, Speed Mining, Wildcat Energy’s Eagle 3 and Samples mines, Remington’s Winchester Mine, and the Little Creek Dock. A total of 1,056 workers both salaried and hourly are included in the notices.

The notice is a supplement to a notice issued to the same operations in August. Patriot is in the process of being bought out by Kentucky based Blackhawk Mining through bankruptcy proceedings. The final sale is pending approval of a Bankruptcy judge.

Neither Patriot or Blackhawk Mining officials would comment on the notices. However, the notice stated the sale is pending in the next two weeks.

“This notice is conditional, inasmuch as Patriot at this time does not know the identity of the sale purchaser, nor the hiring plans of such purchaser,” read the notice. “The company now expects the sale to close on or sometime during the 14 day period from October 22, 2015 and November 5, 2015 with layoffs to take place during that time. The layoffs will be permanent.”

However, indications all along from Blackhawk Mining have been to rehire the vast majority of Patriot employees if the sale is allowed to move forward.

“The plan is for Blackhawk to rehire a substantial number of the Patriot employees,” said a source close to the sale speaking on the condition of anonimity. “It should be a fairly seamless transition for the workers.”

Indications were the Patriot layoffs were just part of the bankruptcy sale process, but neither side would confirm that is the case.





More News

News
Governor signs bill phasing out state taxes on Social Security and receives praise
The phase-out would mean a 35% cut retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024; 65% in 2025 and 100% in 2026.
March 28, 2024 - 11:46 am
News
West Virginia Parkways Authority prepares for Easter travelers on the Turnpike
More than 500,000 transactions are projected at the West Virginia Turnpike through Monday.
March 28, 2024 - 11:30 am
News
Governor vetoes vaccination exemption bill, and now that debate is primed to get even bigger
House Bill 5105 would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would have allowed private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
March 28, 2024 - 11:14 am
News
Lottery reports $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Charleston
Four numbers and Power Ball matched.
March 28, 2024 - 10:24 am