Alpha Natural Resources, which now owns the Mammoth coal mine in eastern Kanawha County, said Tuesday it may seek mediation after the National Labor Relations Board ordered that more than 80 former union workers would get their jobs and be paid back pay. The NLRB says former mine owner Massey Energy is at fault for not allowing the union to continue to operate at the Cannelton mine when Massey purchased the operation from Horizon Natural Resources eight years ago. Alpha is now on the hook because it purchased Massey last year. Alpha officials say they're still reviewing the NLRB ruling, and, if they can’t reach a satisfactory resolution, they may appeal. Alpha says it understands the NLRB's ruling is not enforceable until the board seeks enforcement by a U.S. appeals court and that could take a long time. In its ruling the NLRB said the buyer of a union company must recognize and bargain with the union if a majority of the buyer's new employees come from a former union site. That didn't happen at Mammoth. Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Alpha Natural Resources Considers NLRB Ruling
Alpha Natural Resources, which now owns the Mammoth coal mine in eastern Kanawha County, said Tuesday it may seek mediation after the National Labor Relations Board ordered that more than 80 former union workers would get their jobs and be paid back pay. The NLRB says former mine owner Massey Energy is at fault for not allowing the union to continue to operate at the Cannelton mine when Massey purchased the operation from Horizon Natural Resources eight years ago. Alpha is now on the hook because it purchased Massey last year. Alpha officials say they're still reviewing the NLRB ruling, and, if they can’t reach a satisfactory resolution, they may appeal. Alpha says it understands the NLRB's ruling is not enforceable until the board seeks enforcement by a U.S. appeals court and that could take a long time. In its ruling the NLRB said the buyer of a union company must recognize and bargain with the union if a majority of the buyer's new employees come from a former union site. That didn't happen at Mammoth. 