News
Murray Energy Lays Off 200 Workers At West Virginia Mines
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
A Murray Energy subsidiary says it has laid off 200 workers at three underground coal mines in northern West Virginia.
In a news release Tuesday, St. Clairsville, Ohio-based Murray American Energy announced the layoffs in Harrison, Ohio and Marshall counties.
The company blamed the layoffs on the Obama administration’s energy policies, increased use of natural gas for electricity production and West Virginia’s severance tax.
Fifty-nine hourly employees were idled at the Ohio County mine, leaving 451 hourly employees.
Twenty-seven workers faced layoffs at the Harrison County mine, dropping employment to 422.
And 128 contractors were laid off at the Marshall County mine, which employs 814 hourly workers.
The company said its West Virginia employment is still up 400 people since it acquired the mines from CONSOL Energy in December 2013.