During April last year Consol laid off 170 workers as it idled the longwall to undertake a $US200 million renovation project. Monday’s lay-offs are the latest casualties of the project.
A United Mine Workers of America representative told WTRF the total number of workers off the job is now 260, compared to 110 left working.
The workers left at the mine are working on maintenance and the renovation project – including a new belt haulage system which will replace the current outdated rail haulage system.
Mike Smith, president of UMWA Local 1473, told WTRF most of the workers on lay-off so far had been picked up by other mines and the prospects for the latest group were good.
