Hundreds of W.Va. mines workers warned of layoffs

[theHandpuppet]

The Times West Virginian
http://www.timeswv.com/news/article_a5bdd5ee-38a0-11e4-b478-0019bb2963f4.html
Hundreds of W.Va. mines workers warned of layoffs
Wednesday, September 10, 2014

CHARLESTON (AP) — In what has become a painful exercise across Appalachia, Patriot Coal is again telling hundreds of West Virginia mine workers that they could lose their jobs.

On Tuesday, the St. Louis-based company said it sent federally required warning notices to all 360 workers at its Corridor G mining complex and prep plant near Danville...

...The notices do not necessarily mean all 360 will be laid off at the end of the 60-day warning period, said Patriot spokeswoman Janine Orf.

The toughest news for West Virginia coal this summer came from coal giant Alpha Natural Resources. In July, the company said it plans to lay off 1,100 workers at 11 southern West Virginia mines by mid-October.... MORE at link posted above.

[Staph]

1. "It's Obama's fault! It's Obama's fault!"

The chorus of right-wing rumormongers and political operatives are warming up in the wings to spread this word.

This is going to make it harder to keep Nick Rahall's seat and to elect Natalie Tennant.

[theHandpuppet]

2. That's true, but...

I don't think this administration has really invested much time or energy into Appalachia and its problems. Do you really think the Obama/Biden admin has tried to build bridges with the people of Appalachia? I don't and I have to say its been a major disappointment. Perhaps I expected too much, i.e., a crumb dropped from the table. But there really hasn't been an administration dedicated to helping our region since Lyndon Johnson was in office. But they sure want our votes, yes indeed!