UPDATE: River View Coal reduces workforce, other Alliance Coal subsidiaries also reducing employees

Coal mining in Union County took another hit today when River View Coal officials announced the reduction of over 40 employees. Unfortunately, River View wasn’t the only coal mine to hear bad news today. Alliance Coal officials also announced four other subsidiaries in the tri-state area will also be reducing workers.

According to a statement released from River View Coal GM Ken Ford, earlier today they told employees about the reduction-in-force. Ford stated, “Unfortunately, due to the weak power demand, persistently low natural gas prices, an oversupplied coal market, and the presidential administration’s excessive and costly regulations, it has become necessary for us to operate below our installed and available capacity and approximately 45 employees have been let go. We regret the impact these industry pressures and our decision will have on our employees, their families, and their communities and we appreciate their service to our company.”

In addition, according to a news release to WMSK News from Alliance Coal Vice President Heath Lovell, approximately 30 employees were reduced at White County Coal, LLC.

Lovell says Warrior Coal, LLC and Hopkins County Coal, LLC issued Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN, notices to all employees. As previously announced, he adds the Hopkins County Coal, LLC’s Elk Creek mine remains slated to cease production in the first quarter of 2016, and the future level of operation of Warrior Coal, LLC’s Cardinal mine is uncertain at this time and will depend upon market conditions.

Hamilton County Coal, LLC announced a temporary layoff of approximately 200 employees, but is currently expected to be lifted in the third quarter of 2016.

Lovell states in the release prolonged weak market conditions made this production response necessary, and they deeply regret the impact of these decisions on their employees, their families and their communities.

ORIGINAL STORY:

STATEMENT FROM RIVER VIEW COAL:

According to Ken Ford, GM, earlier today, River View communicated a reduction-in-force to our employees. Unfortunately, due to weak power demand, persistently low natural gas prices, an oversupplied coal market, and the presidential administration’s excessive and costly regulations, it has become necessary for us to operate below our installed and available capacity and approximately 45 employees have been let go. We regret the impact these industry pressures and our decision will have on our employees, their families, and their communities and we appreciate their service to our company.

WMSK News is working to get more details regarding the reduction-in-force, locally, as well as some of the other coal mines in the region.

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