EQUALITY—We’ve confirmed with multiple sources that Willow Lake Mine is in the process of shutting down mining operations.
According to sources, the prep plant is the only operations that will remain open; this being a coal-washing facility that handles coal from Wildcat and Cottage Grove strip mines; but the underground operation at Willow Lake began layoffs today.
Employees will be receiving 60-day notices and will receive pay for six weeks. Their insurance coverage is good for the next three months, then they’ll have to go to a COBRA plan if they wish to continue their coverage, this if they haven’t found other employment.
The machinery is being pulled out of the mines beginning immediately, and personnel will be calling who they want in order to effect this. Our sources are saying that while it’s not yet in stone, it appears that this “who they want” part has nothing to do with seniority at the mine; they’ll literally be calling in who they wish without regard to said seniority. We’re awaiting confirmation on that, but right now, that’s the way it appears to be going.
Willow Lake is owned by Peabody and run by a facility out of Evansville. They’ve been in operation since at least 2002 (CORRECTED, per the website, although we have sources who tell us they’ve been in operation longer than that), and produce about two million tons of coal annually.
No specific reason for the shut-down has been cited; however, it’s being reported to us that two major reasons could be that there was no profit made last year and, at year-end 2012, there will be no profit this year either. As well, the death of Chad Meyers, 30, a little over a week ago, has created problems that the mine may not be able to overcome: a federal investigation is ongoing in the death, which is said to have resulted from Meyers being put on a piece of machinery he was NOT familiar with working, and with little-to-no oversight while he was operating it, thus allegedly resulting in his death.
“They care more about production than safety,” said a miner Disclosure spoke with by phone. “They cover their asses on the surface, but underground, it’s what they want, when they want it.”
There are estimated to be 450 jobs lost, 300 of them union. Our hearts go out to the miners and their families, as this is more than extremely difficult to deal with during the holidays.
A view of the guard house this morning at Willow Lake Mine