Posted on 11/08/2012 10:51:22 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
GALATIA -- A local coal mine is cutting jobs and blaming it on politics. American Coal in Galatia laid off 54 miners on Wednesday, saying President Barack Obama's re-election is bad news for the coal industry.
Layoffs are never easy for those losing their jobs, but for a region already economically depressed, the loss of 54 jobs cuts deeply. The sting is made all the more worse knowing the move could be politically motivated.
"There is no question that the United States coal industry is being destroyed by the actions of Barack H. Obama," said Bob Murray, CEO of Murray Energy, during the Old King Coal Festival in September.
Murray authorized the pink slips at American Coal, a subsidiary company, just hours after the re-election of President Obama. In a news release, Murray Energy blamed the Obama Administration's "War on Coal", stating the layoffs were more severe in anticipation that the coal industry will get worse in the next four years.
Other coal companies have a positive outlook on the industry. Just two weeks ago, Peabody Energy in St. Louis released its third quarter earnings report. The company expects record global coal imports, increasing coal generation, and improving U.S. coal consumption from higher natural gas prices.
Whether the reasons behind the layoffs at American Coal are political or not, it's the residents that suffer the most, especially after several other large layoffs in the area. Murray says this could just be the beginning of its layoffs if the coal industry continues what the company calls a downward spiral.
American Coal has a history of laying off and rehiring workers at the Galatia mine. During December 2005 and January 2006, more than 400 miners were let go. A year later, the company was hiring. In February 2007, an American Coal spokesman told News 3 the mine had rehired 300 employees and planned to add another 250 jobs by the end of that year.
By May 2008, the company was again laying off employees, with 190 job cuts at its New Future mine. Another 37 American Coal employees were let go in July 2009.
No problem. “The rich” will pick up the tab for all of the extra food stamps Barry the Kenyan is going to need.
COAL IMPORTS?!?!???
So it begins.
Business has no faith in Obama and his policies.
Money has no faith in Obama and his policies. Already one credit agency has downgraded America to AA+. When Obama first took office America was AAAA..
If you voted for Obam and you lose your job in the next 2 years it would be wise to keep your mouth shut....
If these layoffs are all being announced today, I wonder what the stock market will do tomorrow.
MFH keep up the great work.
If you have a ping list pls add me to it.
Keep up the pressure. its noticed by the revenge party.
HOORAY American Mine! Prepare. Persevere.
“Business has no faith in Obama and his policies.”
Ironic because the atheists have faith in Obama.
No coal jobs = no coal miners.
No coal miners = no coal miners unions.
Those unions really shot themselves in the foot when they supported obama back in 2008. Now that gunshot wound has turned fatal.
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